About seven days after Jussie Smollett said he was assaulted by two masked men in what his family and Chicago police are treating as a loathe wrongdoing, the “Empire” star has broken his quiet.
In his Friday proclamation, gotten by USA TODAY, Smollett, 36, stated, “Let me start by saying that I’m ok. My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly, I want to say thank you. The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words.”
Various superstars have composed Smollett messages of help, including his co-star Taraji P. Henson, who promised on Instagram, “Hate will not win.”
Smollett additionally communicated worry with how his case is being accounted for in the media, taking note of, “I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level.” However, he said, “Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served.”
He likewise repeated a point made by his family in their announcement, issued Thursday: “These types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident.”
All things being equal, Smollett guaranteed fans, “We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident but I need a moment to process. Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me.”
In their comments, Smollett’s family likewise focused on that assault like his will keep on happening “until we hold each other accountable. Make no mistake, words matter. Hateful words lead to hateful actions.”
While refreshing the media looking into the issue Thursday, Chicago police representative Anthony Guglielmi said that investigators had recuperated observation camera footage of Smollett arriving home at his apartment with a rope around his neck. He said the video was recorded minutes after the actor said he was assaulted
Be that as it may, he noticed that investigators still have still have not figured out how to find footage of the ambush itself, which occurred in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood around 2 a.m. CST Tuesday. In the mean time, police have released a few pictures of “potential persons of interest” whom they seek to question.
Notwithstanding putting a rope around his neck, Smollett said his assailants poured an “unknown chemical substance” on him, and utilized racial and homophobic slurs. (Smollett, who is black and gay, later told police his aggressors shouted, “This is MAGA country!” amid the occurrence.)
Lately, Smollett showed that he still plans to perform a previously scheduled concert in Los Angeles this weekend.
An individual familiar with the circumstance however not approved to talk freely about it affirmed Smollett’s performance plans to USA TODAY.