“Empire” star Jussie Smollett took the stand in his own defense trial Monday, providing lurid details to the jury regarding how he became acquainted with his accused attackers.
Brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo were accused by Smollett of attacking him on a January 2019 night as part of an alleged hate crime. Smollett originally said the brothers targeted the celebrity because he was gay and black. Smollett has maintained he was attacked by the two African brothers walking home from the sandwich shop Subway, where they assaulted him and hung a noose around his neck chanting, “This is MAGA country.”
Following a police report, Chicago authorities suspected that Smollett staged the entire ordeal as part of a hate crime hoax. As a result, Smollett is now being charged with felony disorderly conduct and filing a false police report.
Fox News National correspondent Matt Finn reported Monday that Smollett took the stand in his own case.
As to how he met the Osundairo brothers, Smollett testified that the “first night he met Bola Osundairo they did weed and cocaine together then went to a club. Then went to a bath house together.”
Jussie Smollett testifies on stand — first night he met Bola Osundairo they did weed and cocaine together then went to a club. Then went to a bath house together.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 6, 2021
Once at the bath house, Osundairo and Smollett did “more drugs” and “made out,” Smollett said.
Smollett testifies he and Bola Osundairo got private room in gay bath house. Did more drugs and “made out.” There was “touching.”
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 6, 2021
Smollett also testified that he paid Osundairo $200 for the cocaine.
Smollett testifies he would pay Bola Osundairo for Cocaine. Around $200.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 6, 2021
According to Chicago courthouse reporter Dave Byrnes, Smollett’s testimony contradicted Abimbola Osundairo’s claim that he never had any sexual contact with Smollett. Smollett also stated that “he did cocaine and weed with Abimbola numerous times after this initial meeting. ‘I liked it. It got me away from everything else, so to speak,'” Smollett said according to Byrnes.
Byrnes says that the gay black actor also said, “There was a lot of pressure to represent … This was the time when everything had to be perfect,” regarding his career.
“There was a lot of pressure to represent” gay Black men, Smollett says, adding, “This was the time when everything had to be perfect.”
— Dave Byrnes (@djbyrnes1) December 6, 2021
While Smollett seemingly enjoyed his time with Abimbola, the Empire star was “creeped out” by his older brother Olabinjo. “[Olabinjo] took the vibe out of the room,” Smollett said. On one occasion, Smollett says that he and Abimbola ditched the older brother to go back to the bathhouse and engage in sexual acts together.
Smollett also stated that he believed Olabinjo to be violently homophobic. But, shortly into questioning about the brothers and a check that Smollett wrote the pair, the judge presiding over the case called for lunch break:
Just as defense begins to get into the $3,500 check that Smollett wrote Abimbola, allegedly for fitness training to prepare for an upcoming music video shoot, Linn calls a break for lunch.
— Dave Byrnes (@djbyrnes1) December 6, 2021
This is a developing news story; stay tuned for updates.