Jussie Smollett could soon be back behind bars after an Illinois appeals court today backed the ex-Empire actor’s disorderly conduct convictions stemming from a faked hate crime and playing fast and loose with the truth with Chicago cops.
“We affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County,” said appellate Justices David Navarro and Mary Ellen Coghlan for the majority in a largely procedural based opinion released Friday.
On March 10 last year, after multiple trips to court, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months’ probation over the staged early 2019 incident on the freezing Windy City streets. Proclaiming his innocence, Smollett was let out of the Cook County jail on March 16, 2022 after an Appellate Court granted a motion from his lawyers for a stay of the sentence pending appeal.
Now that appeal has failed with a 2-1 opinion.
Which means Smollett will likely go back to jail...
“We affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County,” said appellate Justices David Navarro and Mary Ellen Coghlan for the majority in a largely procedural based opinion released Friday.
On March 10 last year, after multiple trips to court, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months’ probation over the staged early 2019 incident on the freezing Windy City streets. Proclaiming his innocence, Smollett was let out of the Cook County jail on March 16, 2022 after an Appellate Court granted a motion from his lawyers for a stay of the sentence pending appeal.
Now that appeal has failed with a 2-1 opinion.
Which means Smollett will likely go back to jail...
- 12/1/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Jussie Smollett acknowledged his legal difficulties Thursday at a Harlem premiere screening for his gay romantic drama “B-Boy Blues,” expressing gratitude for finishing his feature directorial debut despite his personal issues.
“Sometimes we all go through things, you know, but what I know for sure is I am so… if I don’t know nothin’, I know how blessed I am,” Smollett said in his first major public appearance since receiving a five-month prison sentence in March for lying to Chicago cops about a racist and homophobic 2019 attack. “I know how grateful I must be. It is not up for debate. I must be grateful. To the universe, to God, to our ancestors, whoever you want to believe it is.”
The former “Empire” acknowledged the challenges of making the film — based on the bestselling 1994 novel of the same name from author James Earl Hardy, who co-wrote the script along with Smollett.
“Sometimes we all go through things, you know, but what I know for sure is I am so… if I don’t know nothin’, I know how blessed I am,” Smollett said in his first major public appearance since receiving a five-month prison sentence in March for lying to Chicago cops about a racist and homophobic 2019 attack. “I know how grateful I must be. It is not up for debate. I must be grateful. To the universe, to God, to our ancestors, whoever you want to believe it is.”
The former “Empire” acknowledged the challenges of making the film — based on the bestselling 1994 novel of the same name from author James Earl Hardy, who co-wrote the script along with Smollett.
- 6/3/2022
- by John Hogan
- The Wrap
Three years is enough time for a comeback… right? (Take note, Ezra Miller.) On Thursday, BET+ announced that it had picked up B-Boy Blues, an LGBTQ film directed and written by Jussie Smollett. It’s his first project since being found guilty of making false reports of a hate crime.
The film is an adaptation of a James Earl Hardy novel of the same name and stars folks such as Timothy Richardson, Brandee Evans, Heater B, Marquise Vilson, and Jabari Reed. Mona Scott-Young is set to be a producer on the film.
The film is an adaptation of a James Earl Hardy novel of the same name and stars folks such as Timothy Richardson, Brandee Evans, Heater B, Marquise Vilson, and Jabari Reed. Mona Scott-Young is set to be a producer on the film.
- 5/26/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s directing debut has finally found a home: BET+ has picked up “B-Boy Blues,” which will debut on the streamer on June 9 in time for Pride Month. As part of the pickup, Mona Scott-Young and her Monami Entertainment has joined the film as a producer and was instrumental in getting the deal done with BET+.
“B-Boy Blues” reps the first project for Smollett since being found guilty of making false reports about what he alleged to be a hate crime. He was later sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in jail, and ordered to pay a fine for making false reports to police, following his report that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019.
“B-Boy Blues” is the film adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel, and stars Timothy Richardson (“David Makes Man”), Ledisi (“Selma”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Heather B...
“B-Boy Blues” reps the first project for Smollett since being found guilty of making false reports about what he alleged to be a hate crime. He was later sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in jail, and ordered to pay a fine for making false reports to police, following his report that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019.
“B-Boy Blues” is the film adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel, and stars Timothy Richardson (“David Makes Man”), Ledisi (“Selma”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Heather B...
- 5/25/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
BET+’s “Martin: The Reunion” has been given a premiere date: The special, which reunites the cast of the iconic 1990s Fox sitcom, will debut June 16 on the streamer.
That’s one of several summer premiere dates BET+ is set to announce on Wednesday, Variety has learned exclusively. According to BET+, the 90-minute reunion brings back original stars Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II to reminisce about the show’s five seasons.
The show even takes place on the iconic “Martin” living room set and is hosted by Affion Crockett. “The cast will look back on the show’s most hilarious moments, revisit the iconic characters Martin made famous and pay an emotional tribute to the late, great Tommy Ford,” the streamer said. “Complete with musical performances and drop-ins by celebrity super fans, ‘Martin: The Reunion’ brings back the wazzup wazzup wazzup passion fans have been waiting for.
That’s one of several summer premiere dates BET+ is set to announce on Wednesday, Variety has learned exclusively. According to BET+, the 90-minute reunion brings back original stars Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II to reminisce about the show’s five seasons.
The show even takes place on the iconic “Martin” living room set and is hosted by Affion Crockett. “The cast will look back on the show’s most hilarious moments, revisit the iconic characters Martin made famous and pay an emotional tribute to the late, great Tommy Ford,” the streamer said. “Complete with musical performances and drop-ins by celebrity super fans, ‘Martin: The Reunion’ brings back the wazzup wazzup wazzup passion fans have been waiting for.
- 5/25/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Jussie Smollett was apparently doing more than visiting Subway since his enforced downtime.
The former Empire star has a new film, B-Boy Blues, an effort that marks his directorial debut. He screened the film, which still needs a distributor, on Friday in Harlem, and the auteur appeared in-person for a rare sighting outside the court room.
Smollett will stand trial in Chicago starting on Nov. 29 for his role in a phony hate crime that he allegedly helped stage. Smollett originally told police he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. But two men who helped him stage the incident later confessed that Smollett paid them $3,500 to enact the attack, which Smollett hoped to capture on a camera. The case briefly outraged the nation until the details were revealed.
Charges were originally dropped in the case and Smollett forfeited a $10,000 bond. But nearly a year later, Cook...
The former Empire star has a new film, B-Boy Blues, an effort that marks his directorial debut. He screened the film, which still needs a distributor, on Friday in Harlem, and the auteur appeared in-person for a rare sighting outside the court room.
Smollett will stand trial in Chicago starting on Nov. 29 for his role in a phony hate crime that he allegedly helped stage. Smollett originally told police he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. But two men who helped him stage the incident later confessed that Smollett paid them $3,500 to enact the attack, which Smollett hoped to capture on a camera. The case briefly outraged the nation until the details were revealed.
Charges were originally dropped in the case and Smollett forfeited a $10,000 bond. But nearly a year later, Cook...
- 11/21/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The 25th American Black Film Festival is shifting from a hybrid to a fully online event, Jeff Friday Media (Jfm) announced today.
The festival, which runs from Nov. 3-14, 2021 will be available digitally on ABFF’s custom-built online platform, abffplay.com, providing artists, filmmakers, movie fans and audiences the opportunity to come together virtually to celebrate ABFF’s 25th year of showcasing the best in Black cinema and television.
“As we were enthusiastically planning our 25th anniversary celebration and return to Miami Beach, we couldn’t ignore the ongoing spread of Covid-19 and now the Delta variant,” Jeff Friday, CEO Jeff Friday Media and founder, ABFF Ventures LLC, said announcing shift.
“Our national health crisis is at the forefront of our minds and we must responsively adapt. For the health and safety of our attendees, supporters and staff, we’ve made the difficult decision to pivot to a virtual event this year,...
The festival, which runs from Nov. 3-14, 2021 will be available digitally on ABFF’s custom-built online platform, abffplay.com, providing artists, filmmakers, movie fans and audiences the opportunity to come together virtually to celebrate ABFF’s 25th year of showcasing the best in Black cinema and television.
“As we were enthusiastically planning our 25th anniversary celebration and return to Miami Beach, we couldn’t ignore the ongoing spread of Covid-19 and now the Delta variant,” Jeff Friday, CEO Jeff Friday Media and founder, ABFF Ventures LLC, said announcing shift.
“Our national health crisis is at the forefront of our minds and we must responsively adapt. For the health and safety of our attendees, supporters and staff, we’ve made the difficult decision to pivot to a virtual event this year,...
- 8/26/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Jussie Smollett has set the cast for his upcoming feature directorial debut, B-Boys Blues, which is currently filming in New York. Grammy-nominated recording artist Ledisi (Selma), Timothy Richardson (David Makes Man), Thomas Mackie, and Brandee Evans (P-Valley) have been tapped to star in the film, which is based on James Earl Hardy’s 1994 novel about the black LGBTQ+/Same Gender Loving community.
Written by Smollett and Hardy, the pic explores the love and life of a middle class, politically conscious magazine editor Mitchell Crawford (Richardson) and a Harlem born and bred ruff-neck bike messenger Raheim (Mackie). Ledisi will Crawford’s mother Ann Walker, while Evans is Mitchell’s assistant, Michi.
Rounding out the cast are Broderick Hunter, Landon G. Woodson, Michael Jackson, Jr., Marquise Vilson, Jabari Redd, Brian Lucas, Heather B., Erik Williams, Otis Winston, Tiesha Thomas, Jahleel Kamara, Andre Virgo, Bry’Nt Bailey, Ilara Phoenix Williams, and Sampson McCormick.
Written by Smollett and Hardy, the pic explores the love and life of a middle class, politically conscious magazine editor Mitchell Crawford (Richardson) and a Harlem born and bred ruff-neck bike messenger Raheim (Mackie). Ledisi will Crawford’s mother Ann Walker, while Evans is Mitchell’s assistant, Michi.
Rounding out the cast are Broderick Hunter, Landon G. Woodson, Michael Jackson, Jr., Marquise Vilson, Jabari Redd, Brian Lucas, Heather B., Erik Williams, Otis Winston, Tiesha Thomas, Jahleel Kamara, Andre Virgo, Bry’Nt Bailey, Ilara Phoenix Williams, and Sampson McCormick.
- 10/23/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Jussie Smollett will make his feature directorial debut with “B-Boy Blues,” an adaptation of the 1994 novel about gay culture within the hip hop scene by James Earl Hardy. The film will be produced through Smollett’s SuperMassive Movies production outfit.
Smollett will produce the film alongside Hardy, Frank Gatson, Sampson McCormick and Madia Hill Scott. Production is set to begin Oct. 17. The film is funded by SuperMassive and Cleveland-based investor Tom Wilson, who finances independent films with LGBTQ+ and Bipoc subject matter.
Set in the summer of 1993, “B-Boy Blues” tracks the relationship between a 27 year old journalist and a 21 year old bike messenger in New York as well as the larger LGBTQ+ community within the hip hop subculture. Hardy wrote five sequels and a short story for “B-Boy Blues.”
Smollett previously directed two episodes of “Empire” prior to his exit from the series in 2019. The actor is still engaged in...
Smollett will produce the film alongside Hardy, Frank Gatson, Sampson McCormick and Madia Hill Scott. Production is set to begin Oct. 17. The film is funded by SuperMassive and Cleveland-based investor Tom Wilson, who finances independent films with LGBTQ+ and Bipoc subject matter.
Set in the summer of 1993, “B-Boy Blues” tracks the relationship between a 27 year old journalist and a 21 year old bike messenger in New York as well as the larger LGBTQ+ community within the hip hop subculture. Hardy wrote five sequels and a short story for “B-Boy Blues.”
Smollett previously directed two episodes of “Empire” prior to his exit from the series in 2019. The actor is still engaged in...
- 10/14/2020
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett will be making his directorial debut with a film adaptation of “B-Boy Blues,” James Earl Hardy’s 1994 novel, Variety has confirmed. The film will be produced through Smollett’s SuperMassive Movies.
The film will start production on Oct. 17 and is financed by SuperMassive and Tom Wilson, a Cleveland-based investor who funds independent, LGBTQ+ and Bipoc films. Smollett is a producer, along with author Hardy, Frank Gatson, Sampson McCormick and Madia Hill Scott.
“B-Boy Blues,” a staple story within the LGBTQ+ community, follows the relationship of 27-year-old journalist Mitchell Crawford and 21-year-old bicycle messenger Raheim Rivers, who meet at a gay bar in Greenwich Village during the summer of 1993. Rivers is known as a “B-boy” or “banjee boy,” which is a term that originated in ballroom culture to describe someone with a tough exterior. However, as Crawford gets to know Rivers, he discovers that though he...
The film will start production on Oct. 17 and is financed by SuperMassive and Tom Wilson, a Cleveland-based investor who funds independent, LGBTQ+ and Bipoc films. Smollett is a producer, along with author Hardy, Frank Gatson, Sampson McCormick and Madia Hill Scott.
“B-Boy Blues,” a staple story within the LGBTQ+ community, follows the relationship of 27-year-old journalist Mitchell Crawford and 21-year-old bicycle messenger Raheim Rivers, who meet at a gay bar in Greenwich Village during the summer of 1993. Rivers is known as a “B-boy” or “banjee boy,” which is a term that originated in ballroom culture to describe someone with a tough exterior. However, as Crawford gets to know Rivers, he discovers that though he...
- 10/14/2020
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The former Empire star is directing B-Boy Blues, an adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s best-selling 1994 book and will produce through his newly launched SuperMassive Movies.
B-Boy Blues follows the tumultuous relationship between Mitchell Crawford, a 27-year old journalist, and Raheim Rivers, a 21-year old bicycle messenger and B-boy (banjee boy). They meet in a gay bar in Greenwich Village in the summer of 1993. The B-boy hangs out on street corners, cool and menacing. Raheim is the third B-boy in Mitchell’s life, but underneath the former’s tough exterior, Raheim is smart and talented and a loving parent to his five-year-old son. But Raheim has a violent streak. B-Boy Blues spawned a series that has sold millions worldwide and remains a staple within the black LGBTQ+/Same Gender Loving community.
The film goes into production in New York City on Oct. 17. SuperMassive Movies, is a subsidiary of Jussie Smollett...
B-Boy Blues follows the tumultuous relationship between Mitchell Crawford, a 27-year old journalist, and Raheim Rivers, a 21-year old bicycle messenger and B-boy (banjee boy). They meet in a gay bar in Greenwich Village in the summer of 1993. The B-boy hangs out on street corners, cool and menacing. Raheim is the third B-boy in Mitchell’s life, but underneath the former’s tough exterior, Raheim is smart and talented and a loving parent to his five-year-old son. But Raheim has a violent streak. B-Boy Blues spawned a series that has sold millions worldwide and remains a staple within the black LGBTQ+/Same Gender Loving community.
The film goes into production in New York City on Oct. 17. SuperMassive Movies, is a subsidiary of Jussie Smollett...
- 10/14/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Jussie Smollett is preparing his feature directorial debut with B-Boy Blues, an adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s classic 1994 novel.
The film will go into production on Oct. 17 in New York City. The musician and former Empire actor has previously directed two episodes of the Fox series and several music videos.
Smollett’s recently-formed SuperMassive Movies, an ancillary label of his Story Worthy Pictures banner, will produce. Per the company, SuperMassive has raised “mid-seven figures” in a partnership with Cleveland-based investor Tom Wilson to finance small-budget films from minority filmmakers.
Smollett will produce the film alongside author Hardy, investor ...
The film will go into production on Oct. 17 in New York City. The musician and former Empire actor has previously directed two episodes of the Fox series and several music videos.
Smollett’s recently-formed SuperMassive Movies, an ancillary label of his Story Worthy Pictures banner, will produce. Per the company, SuperMassive has raised “mid-seven figures” in a partnership with Cleveland-based investor Tom Wilson to finance small-budget films from minority filmmakers.
Smollett will produce the film alongside author Hardy, investor ...
- 10/13/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jussie Smollett is preparing his feature directorial debut with B-Boy Blues, an adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s classic 1994 novel.
The film will go into production on Oct. 17 in New York City. The musician and former Empire actor has previously directed two episodes of the Fox series and several music videos.
Smollett’s recently-formed SuperMassive Movies, an ancillary label of his Story Worthy Pictures banner, will produce. Per the company, SuperMassive has raised “mid-seven figures” in a partnership with Cleveland-based investor Tom Wilson to finance small-budget films from minority filmmakers.
Smollett will produce the film alongside author Hardy, investor ...
The film will go into production on Oct. 17 in New York City. The musician and former Empire actor has previously directed two episodes of the Fox series and several music videos.
Smollett’s recently-formed SuperMassive Movies, an ancillary label of his Story Worthy Pictures banner, will produce. Per the company, SuperMassive has raised “mid-seven figures” in a partnership with Cleveland-based investor Tom Wilson to finance small-budget films from minority filmmakers.
Smollett will produce the film alongside author Hardy, investor ...
- 10/13/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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