Celebrities Share Support for Jussie Smollett After Hate Crime Attack
Jussie Smollett was viciously attacked in Chicago on Tuesday morning during an apparent hate crime.
The “Empire” star was beaten by two men who yelled out racial and homophobic slurs. They put a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him. As they left, they reportedly yelled, “This is MAGA country.” Smollett was hospitalized and remains in “good condition,” according to police.
Following the brutal attack, celebrities took to social media to voice their support for the 35-year-old actor and demand justice.
John Legend was among the first to speak out against the “horrific” crime. “Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack,” he tweeted. “We support you and pray that you find peace and justice.”
Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack. We support you and pray that you find peace and justice.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 29, 2019
A heartbroken Kehlani was left “speechless,” while 50 Cent sent his prayers and called for Jussie’s attackers to be “quickly brought to justice.”
T.I. also demanded recourse and called for an uprising. “It’s a Disgusting Fuckking shame we continue to allow this shit to happen to OUR PEOPLE with no recourse!!!!” he said. “THE HITS WONT STOP UNTIL WE HIT BACK!!!! Revolution is imminent… Laws of reciprocity say so… Prayers are great… But when I’m wronged… get up off your knees and RIDE for ME!!!!! Be strong & Stay solid We here for you Bro.”
god bless jussie may he have all the support he needs healing from this.
hella speechless. no words.
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) January 29, 2019
Sending Prayers to @jussiesmollett we hope his attackers are quickly brought to justice. #thisis50 https://t.co/HCXbzoqp66
— 50cent (@50cent) January 29, 2019
Janelle Monáe penned a heartfelt note to her friend and fellow member of the LGBTQ community. “THIS HATE CRIME against our brother @jussiesmollett is proof that no matter how famous you may be it still does not protect you from vicious racist homophobes !!” she wrote. “AND It is still a risk daily to be a BLACK , OUT , and PROUD human being . I am sending so much love to you Jussie . Praying for your healing . Thank you for being such an inspiration to me & soooooo mannnnny people.”
Others including Ariana Grande, Janet Jackson, Halle Berry, and Zendaya also expressed their disgust and offered their prayers.
what happened to jussie makes me really fucking sick to my stomach. i can’t believe shit like this is really still happening everyday. what kind of world ? sending all of the healing energy / love i possibly can and hoping for change. what can we do ? tell me & i’m there.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) January 29, 2019
sending u my love 💜🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/9dHEphO8BQ
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) January 29, 2019
Standing with and sending love to @JussieSmollett today… this is a racist hate crime and is disgusting and shameful to our country 😔#WeLoveJussie
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 29, 2019
I feel like I shouldn’t have to send out reminders that homophobia & racism are cowardly acts. But yet here we are in Maga Hell. I’m at a loss for words at all of this. Stunned that I’m… https://t.co/Fib0QTEjFb
— Questlove (In E flat) (@questlove) January 29, 2019
My prayers go out to @JussieSmollett The world we live in is cold. Such a beautiful soul with amazing energy. You are loved my brother✊🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/9wD19avXiP
— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) January 29, 2019
1/3 – I’ve known Jussie since he was 10 years old, and a man of @JussieSmollett’s talent, intellect and kindness should be an undisputed blessing to our community. My heart is hurting knowing that he’s suffering…and for what? Just for being?
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) January 29, 2019
This is heartbreaking and terrifying…please pay attention to what’s happening here. Sending all my love to @JussieSmollett https://t.co/YTJ6bwLDkZ
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 29, 2019
Love to Jussie.
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) January 29, 2019
Jussie’s “Empire” family, including the show’s co-creators Danny Strong and Lee Daniels, took to social media to express their sadness and outrage. “You didn’t deserve to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you, to be called ‘die f****t, n****r,’ or whatever they said to you,” said Daniels in an Instagram video. “You are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are, because it shows that we are united.”
Lee Daniels speaks out on the racial / homophobic attacks on #JussieSmollett pic.twitter.com/UdSuR8rO85
— Yaya_PERIOD (@YAYA_BEEN_ON) January 29, 2019
NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, has also issued a statement following Smollett’s assault. “The recent racist and homophobic attack on acclaimed actor and activist Jussie Smollett is troubling,” he said. “The rise in hate crimes is directly linked to President Donald J. Trump’s racist and xenophobic rhetoric. It is dangerous for any society to allow a tone of divisiveness and hatred to dominate the political discourse.”
See more of the heartfelt messages below.