Jussie Smollett Seeks Rehab to Cope After Challenging Years

The past few years have been a tumultuous journey for actor and singer Jussie Smollett, known for his role in the hit series Empire. Reports have surfaced that he has checked into rehab to address the toll that this rollercoaster has taken on his emotional well-being.

According to TMZ, representatives for Smollett confirmed that he recently entered an outpatient program at a rehabilitation treatment facility. They expressed support for him, acknowledging the hardships he has faced in recent years. A source close to the situation stated, “Jussie has had an extremely difficult past few years. He has quietly been working very hard for some time now, and we are proud of him for taking these necessary steps.”

The saga began in 2019 when Jussie Smollett claimed to be the victim of a hate crime in Chicago, alleging that two individuals tied a noose around his neck in an attack. However, it was later revealed that the incident was a fake, coordinated “attack,” with all involved being paid actors. Smollett was found guilty of felony disorderly conduct for lying to the police and received a sentence of 150 days behind bars and 30 months of probation in December 2021. He ultimately served only six days after posting a $150,000 bond in March 2022.

While it remains unclear why Jussie Smollett has entered rehab, it is worth noting that his alleged “attackers,” the Osundairo brothers, claimed during the trial that they were also his drug dealers. The case is still entangled in the Chicago court system due to an ongoing appeal.

Throughout this ordeal, Jussie Smollett’s name has been entangled in controversy. He faced backlash in the hip-hop world when 50 Cent compared Megan Thee Stallion’s situation to his own. In 2020, Megan Thee Stallion claimed she was shot in the feet by Tory Lanez, allegedly due to her previous romantic involvement with the R&B singer. Kendrick Lamar even referenced him in his song “The Heart Part 5” last year.

50 Cent initially criticized Megan Thee Stallion, insinuating that she was lying. However, he later apologized to her during an appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood, acknowledging that his initial comments were misguided. He said, “I’m gonna apologize to Megan Thee Stallion. I said some things, and it was because… On social media, I posted things that, when she was with Gayle [King], she said: ‘Were you intimate with Tory Lanez?’ And she said: ‘What?’ and it was like, ‘No.’ And I was like, ‘Ah, she’s lying.’ At that point, I knew she was lying, it wouldn’t be any reason for them to be around each other. From that, it felt like she was lying – to me.”

Jussie Smollett’s decision to seek rehab comes as he continues to navigate the aftermath of his legal battles and public controversies. It remains to be seen how this chapter of his life will unfold.