Jussie Smollett returned to the box office with The Lost Hollidaybut he couldn’t do it without those who love him the most.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Empire The alum, 42, talks about the support he’s received for his latest directorial venture and how he relied on the help of his friends and family for support following his alleged hate crime hoax in 2019.
On Friday, September 27, Smollett’s second directorial effort, The Lost Hollidayappeared in select theaters across the US. In the film, the actor also plays Jason, a character who becomes a single father to his adopted daughter when his partner Damien (Jabari Redd) is tragically killed. The film also stars Smollett’s aunt Vivica A. Fox as Cassandra, Damien’s estranged mother, who travels to Los Angeles to plan her son’s funeral.
Vivica A. Fox reveals plans for 60th birthday and new project with Empire Costar Jussie Smollett (Exclusive)
Jussie Smollett (left) and Vivica A. Fox in June 2024.
Aaron J. Thornton/Getty
“I don’t know if I was surprised, but I’m so grateful,” Smollett says of the film’s reception. “I’m a very grateful person and I’m happy to still be here physically and I don’t take that lightly. The response was … I don’t even know what the word would be. It’s just great. It was great to see.”
Still The Lost Holliday deals with “heavier themes” such as the loss of loved ones, adoption and family estrangement, Smollett says the film “finds joy.”
“It’s a film that gives hope,” he explains. “I think that’s what I’m really getting from this movie for my own life, is that it’s so hopeful. It’s like, ‘Well, what’s the next day going to be like? What’s tomorrow going to bring?’ It might bring you something great, it might bring you something not so great, but it’s about what you’re working with [it].”
As a gay black man, Smollett included “elements of the LGBTQIA community”, noting that “everyone can relate to this film” because it tells a universal story of love, grief and hope.
He continues, “The reception has been phenomenal, and it just further proves what my whole mission has always been, which is just to show how much more alike we are than not.”
In March 2019, Smollett was initially charged with 16 counts of misconduct for allegedly filing a false report, claiming that he was attacked by two men late at night while walking home from a Subway sandwich shop in Chicago. He was found guilty of five counts in 2022, but maintains his innocence as he continues to fight an appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court.
Despite his ongoing legal battles, Smollett tells PEOPLE how he’s been able to come out the other side and go on to projects like The Lost Holliday thanks to the support of his friends and family members.
He says he got a sense of comfort and public support from family like Fox and his sister Jurnee Smollett and friends like Empire The costar, Taraji P. Henson, was pivotal despite the “painful” nature of his allegations.
“While my friends and family protect and defend me, I want to protect and defend them,” he says, adding that “it’s not always easy” to go against what “might be the most believed story.”
“I see what they’ve done and I see how fearlessly they’ve done it,” Smollett continues. “But also, I want to protect them, and I want to make sure they’re okay and safe. It’s been tough. It’s been rough. I’d be lying if I said it was a walk in the park. This is tough.”
Jurnee Smollett backs brother Jussie after 150-day jail sentence: ‘Jussie is innocent’
Over the years, the actor says many people have “continuously” checked in and offered support, though he’s reluctant to reveal their names given the circumstances.
However, there are individuals in his life who acted as “some kind of my North Star”.
“Vivica is one of them,” Smollett says, smiling.
“She was fearless in her support and understanding and love for the project, for The Lost Holliday and for the character of Cassandra,” he continues. “This film would not have been made if Vivica had not stepped in.”
Taraji P. Henson Supports ‘Empire’ Costar Jussie Smollett, Quotes Emmett Till: ‘Free Jussie’
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(980x583:982x585)/Jussie-Smollett-Taraji-P-Henson-092824-9e1184e0a5d84b36ae32ff73d6e6408f.jpg)
Taraji P. Henson (left) and Jussie Smollett in ‘Empire’.
FOX Image Collection via Getty
Another of those supporters is Henson, who Smollett says has been “there for me since day one.” He says that the Oscar nominee (54) always made sure to ask him if he needed anything and offered to host him in her home.
“[She says]’Come and spend some time with me,’ he adds. ‘It’s family stuff. It is much more than costars or collaborators. She truly is my sister.”
Never miss a story — subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Taraji was just like my heart. She’s one of my favorite people,” he continues. “I truly love her. She’s one of my favorite people and just the kindest heart, the most genuine soul. She’ll be the first to say, ‘Hold on, stay right with your spirit. Stay right with your spirit.’ ‘ And he’s right. I love that woman.”
Smollett says his “village” meant “everything” to him during hard times. When the world made him “feel like you have no value and you’re not worthy of love,” he says his support system stepped in and reminded him that he was, in fact, loved.
“It’s very healing. I think it’s been the last six years [I’ve been] I’m so afraid I won’t feel like myself,” she continues. “And I am, and I know that because of my family.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education