Jussie Smollett Credits Legal Battles for Mental Fortitude Entering Special Forces

Previous legal challenges faced by Jussie Smollett have, in his view, equipped him mentally for his participation in the fourth season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.

“I absolutely believe that in recent years… I’ve been compelled to develop a greater degree of mental resilience,” the 43-year-old Smollett shared in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, anticipating the debut of Special Forces season 4 on Thursday, September 25.

Smollett further elaborated that this increased strength allows him to be less impacted by public perception than he might have been previously.

Smollett, whose career began as a young actor in The Mighty Ducks and later achieved prominence portraying Jamal Lyon in Fox’s Empire, drew significant media attention in 2019 after reporting he had been the target of a hate crime. Initially, he garnered considerable backing from supporters and close acquaintances until law enforcement agencies alleged he had orchestrated the attack himself.

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Authorities apprehended two individuals, Abimbola “Bola” Osundairo and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, as potential suspects; however, they were subsequently freed without indictment following their assertion that Smollett had contracted them to purportedly stage the incident. Consequently, Smollett faced a felony disorderly conduct charge for submitting a fraudulent police report. While prosecutors elected to dismiss these charges in March 2019, Smollett had by then already been removed from his role on Empire.

In 2020, special prosecutor Dan Webb initiated a new indictment against Smollett, asserting the actor was aware no crime had occurred when he reported the supposed assault to law enforcement.

Smollett, who consistently asserted his lack of culpability during his protracted legal battle, was convicted on five felony counts of disorderly conduct in 2021. He received a jail sentence in March 2022, serving six days before his release. Although the sentence was affirmed upon appeal in 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 2024, citing Smollett’s adherence to the terms of his 2019 plea arrangement.

Smollett informed Us that discussions on Special Forces touched upon his personal history, subsequently describing his emotional response to these moments.

“I wasn't sure what to anticipate. But honestly, let’s be straightforward, shall we?” he elaborated. “I recognized before joining Special Forces that certain topics would surface, that my history and challenging, distressing events would be addressed, encompassing not only the well-known incidents of 2019 but also aspects from my childhood.”

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He proceeded, “My father, my upbringing, my identity as a gay man – all these facets, they thoroughly explored. I recall a pre-interview lasting approximately three hours. They truly delve into your private existence, which isn't consistently pleasant, yet I believe the overarching goal here is to push you so far out of your comfort zone that you confront your inner self and overcome obstacles in manners you might never have previously, correct?”

Smollett finished by saying, “Indeed, I wasn’t particularly apprehensive about them raising these topics. I was, in a sense, ready for it. My uncertainty was merely about the specific manner in which these subjects would emerge. Nevertheless, these individuals were demanding, rigorous, and stern, yet they also possessed an unexpected tenderness. They persuaded you of their care, you grasped their motives, you recognized that it served the mission, and you understood that such training is conducted by real people in actual scenarios. So, in certain aspects, we remained safeguarded.”