Jussie Smollett Opens Up About His “Darkest Day” Amid 2019 Hate Crime Hoax Scandal

Jussie Smollett is reflecting on the turmoil surrounding his infamous alleged hate crime hoax scandal, sharing insight into his lowest moments ahead of the premiere of his new film, The Lost Holliday. In a recent interview with PEOPLE conducted over Zoom, the former Empire star detailed the emotional toll of the ordeal, describing the day of his arrest as his “darkest day.”

Smollett recounted feeling “numb” when authorities arrested him on multiple charges of disorderly conduct and falsifying a police report. “I didn’t know how to connect the dots,” he admitted. “I really genuinely did not know. I couldn’t make sense of what was going on, and I couldn’t make sense of what people were actually thinking … what exactly do they think happened? I couldn’t put two and two together.”

Despite the public backlash and legal battles that followed, Smollett has maintained his innocence. Recalling the day of his arrest, he said, “That was a pretty dark day because that’s when everything clicked to me of what was happening. A lot of things tested my strength, a lot of things tested my mental, but the one thing I never lost — I never started thinking that I am somebody that I’m not.”

Smollett emphasized that even though the incident happened when he was well into his thirties, it challenged his identity in ways he never anticipated. “Keep in mind, I was deep in my thirties when this happened. This isn’t like I’m a 16-year-old or a 20-year-old, [where] this is impacting their very being of who they believe that they are. I never started thinking that I am somebody that I’m not,” he said.

The actor’s return to the spotlight with The Lost Holliday marks a significant moment, as he steps back into the public eye and reflects on a deeply painful experience. Smollett’s candid remarks provide a glimpse into his mindset during the tumultuous period and his journey toward reclaiming his narrative.