Jussie Smollett Enters Rehab, Takes ‘Necessary Steps’ After ‘an Extremely Difficult Past Few Years’

Jussie Smollett is reportedly working to get his life back on track after a tumultuous series of public events.

TMZ reported on Wednesday that Empire The star, 41, will begin treatment at an outpatient rehab facility.

“Jussie has had an extremely difficult past few years. He has been quietly working very hard for some time and we are proud of him for taking these necessary steps,” the actor’s rep said in a statement to TMZ.

Jussie Smollett attended Black Pride weekend in Atlanta 2022.

Prince Williams/Wireimage

Smollett’s rep and attorney did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

It is unclear why he is seeking treatment. However, during his highly publicized trial in connection with the January 29, 2019 incident, the Osundairo brothers — Abimbola “Bola” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo — alleged that they supplied Smollett with various illegal substances.

‘Empire’ creator Lee Daniels says he is beyond embarrassed by the Jussie Smollett scandal

In March 2022. Skinny the actor was sentenced to prison and probation for a hate crime hoax he staged with the Osundairos, and for subsequently filing a false police report related to the incident. He was given 30 months of probation, including the first 150 days served in jail, and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution and a $25,000 fine.

Smollett, an openly gay black man, claimed that on January 29, 2019, as he was walking home from a Subway sandwich shop, he was attacked by two men late at night.

Jussie Smollett trial video.

He claimed that masked men yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him during the attack, and also put a rope around his neck and doused him with bleach.

During the proceedings, Fox CEO Charlie Collier announced that he would drop Smollett’s role as music artist Jamal Lyon for Empirethe sixth and final season.

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After the decision to no longer have him as a cast member in the series, Smollett’s Empire his co-star Taraji P. Henson has repeatedly spoken out in his support.

“We miss Jussie,” she said PEOPLE and entertainment Weekly Red Carpet live: 2019 Before the Emmy Awards. “He is our family. There’s no way we’re throwing away five years of family. I miss her.”

During the trial, Smollett maintained his innocence.

Jussie Smollett.

“I’m not suicidal and if something happens to me when I leave [to jail]I didn’t do it to myself and you all have to remember that,” he said in court.

Less than a week after Smollett’s sentencing, it was announced that he would be released from prison.

Court documents obtained by PEOPLE state that the order was granted because “the defendant has been convicted of non-violent crimes” and that the court “will not be able to resolve the current appeal before the defendant serves his entire prison term.” ”

Jussie Smollett.

At the time, one of Smollett’s attorneys, Tina Glandian of Geragos & Geragos, told PEOPLE, “We are pleased that Jussie will return to his family and loved ones and look forward to an impartial review and reversal of the serial injustices that have been done to him.”

After keeping a relatively low profile following the hate crime hoax, Smollett attended his first red carpet appearance in years as he arrived for a screening of his directorial debut B-Boy Blues at the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem multiplex in New York in November 2021.

Queen Latifah Discusses Jussie Smollett Case: ‘Innocent Until Proven Guilty’

“Seeing all the love for the film is insanely beautiful. More to come until I catch up, but to everyone who came out last night with so much love and community… on behalf of everyone @bboybluesthefilm, thank you. We love you all. Now to find a home for it to be whole the world could see,” Smollett wrote on Instagram the next day.

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