Empire star Jussie Smollett sat down with ABC’s Robin Roberts for his first interview since the attack he reported in Chicago last month. The conversation aired on Good Morning America on Thursday, February 14, 2019.
A short promo released before the broadcast showed Smollett tearing up when Roberts asked whether he feared for his life at any point during the incident.
Smollett told Roberts he was out getting food when he heard someone call out to him. He said the person used racist and homophobic language and referenced Empire, so he turned around and responded. According to Smollett, the attacker was masked, said it was “MAGA country,” and hit him in the face. He said he hit back and the two ended up tussling on the icy ground. Smollett said the struggle lasted maybe 30 seconds, and that after the attackers ran off he noticed a rope around his neck and started screaming.
He also spoke about the people who have doubted his account. Smollett said he believes the doubters would have been more supportive if he had named a different kind of attacker. “It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would’ve supported me a lot more, and that says a lot about the place that we are in our country right now,” he said.
The interview comes as the Chicago Police Department has said in recent weeks that it has not yet identified suspects. Police also said publicly that they wanted Smollett’s phone records to confirm he was on a call with his manager when the attack happened. Smollett eventually turned over records, which police described as redacted and not enough proof of the call. Smollett told Roberts he was hesitant at first because his phone holds private photos, videos, emails, and the numbers of his partner, family, castmates, and friends.
Smollett also said the experience has changed him for good, and that he believes people have a responsibility to try to make something meaningful out of what happens to them, good or bad.
