Jussie Smollett's brother JoJo writes essay defending him from attacks

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Jussie Smollett’s Brother JoJo Defends Him In New Essay

Despite the fact that Jussie Smollett was cleared of the 16 felony charges the Chicago Police Department filed against him, his family still feels the need to defend him from the public, some of whom will never believe Jussie.

Jussie older brother JoJo recently penned an essay for BET that asks us to consider the idea “what if Jussie Smollett was telling the truth?”

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JoJo explains how he, his siblings, and Jussie’s boyfriend have watched the effect that the public’s response has had on Jussie.

Jussie is as strong as iron, but following an attack like this, there is a normal and natural amount of post trauma that mostly anyone should expect to suffer. I have literally seen him violently awakening from night terrors, following the assault. Some of my siblings, as well as Jussie’s partner and closest friends have seen similar things.

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JoJo also fought back the idea that Jussie’s career was failing and he was in need of more money.

I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW EASILY easily everyone accepted the ridiculous motive about Jussie’s career that was promulgated. Jussie had actually begun directing episodes of Empire, which brought additional compensation. He worked out a deal with Fox to own 100% of his music masters , released an album, which lead to a sold out world tour and he donated every cent of ticket sales to charity. He even signed the group, June’s Diary, to his label. My brother was developing two films with one of the biggest producers in Hollywood, had the lead to a Broadway show on the table and owns the option rights to the authorized autobiography of his idol, Alvin Ailey. All pointing to not only an advancing career but a business savvy mind. To suggest that he staged his own attack to boost a sagging career is ludicrous. Jussie has a team of extremely effective agents, managers, publicists, and attorneys who helped him acquire career advancement. He wouldn’t need to roll around on the icy ground of a Chicago street, staging an attack on himself to make this happen.

It seems like Jussie and those who love him need to just accept the fact that there are people who will always look at Jussie sideways, and there will always be people who believe in and support him. Jussie ain’t going to prison and after a little time has passed Hollyweird will be calling him for work. No need to continue to defend the indefensible.