Jussie Smollett’s career has hit rock bottom even as he maintains his innocence in hate crime hoax: expert

Almost six years after the alleged staging a racist and homophobic attack Jussie Smollett turned on himself and two years later was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct. He seems more determined than ever to fight for his truth and rebuild his career in Hollywood.

According to experts, the 42-year-old actor, who recently returned to the big screen with his new film “The Lost Holliday,” has not only “hit rock bottom” in his professional career, as Smollett has discovered a new level of what a lawyer is in his effort to maintain his innocence as “delusion.”

“He’s already bottomed out, it’s going to take a while before he can push himself off the bottom and actually swim back to the surface,” Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, told Fox News Digital. “However, you can either give up and float to the top, or you can swim against the current back to the top. Only in one of these two scenarios will your career take off.”

WATCH JUSSIE SMOLLETT: ANATOMY OF A HOAX

“It is possible [Smollett may always be viewed as a liar]Eldridge added. “The real question is whether his career will still recover.”

A representative for Smollett did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

“But his idea of ​​moving on and ‘fighting for the truth’ – seems delusional to me.”

– Jamie White, Michigan litigator, of White Law PLLC

In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Smollett maintained his innocence and said he will continue to do this, no matter the cost.

“I want to have all of those things in my life, and I don’t want to have a crime on my record for something I didn’t do,” Smollett told the outlet. “That’s what we’re fighting for. I know on the surface it probably seems like he’s not just serving the sentence, why doesn’t he just let it go? It would be easier if I had actually done that.” To say that I would have done it, I wouldn’t have spent almost $3 million of my own money.

Jussie has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, conviction and appeal. (Amy Sussman)

“All this time, for almost six years, I have stood not by my truth but by the truth,” he added. “I haven’t changed my story. I haven’t changed anything I’ve ever said. I stand by everything I’ve ever said. Everyone else in the situation, every single person, has changed their story multiple times.”

But there’s a problem, says Gene Roy, retired Chicago Police Department detective chief: His story “was wrong from the start.”

“Juse is absolutely right when he says his story has never changed,” Roy told Fox News Digital. “But the problem is that his story was wrong from the start. His story has not changed, but careful investigation by the Chicago Police Department has revealed the facts. And the facts are what matter.”

Smollett said he hasn’t changed his story since 2019. (Nuccio DiNuzzo)

“Things like this can be overcome – there is a long list of Hollywood actors who have had brushes with the law, gotten out of it, moved on with their lives and appeared in films again,” testifies trial attorney Jamie White of White Law Michigan PLCC, added. “But his idea of ​​moving on and ‘fighting for the truth’ – seems delusional to me.”

In January 2019, the “Empire” actor reported to Chicago police that he was attacked by two men wearing ski masks. Smollett, an openly gay black man, was then accused of staging the attack on himself and lying to police about it. An investigation was launched and Smollett was eventually arrested.

The charges against him were dropped and refiled a year later. In 2021 he was convicted of five misdemeanors.

JUSSIE SMOLLETT RELEASED AFTER SIX DAYS IN PRISON

He was convicted On March 10, 2022, he was sentenced to 150 days in prison. The actor was also sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago and fined $25,000.

In March 2023, Smollett’s legal team filed a notice of appeal. The case is currently being reviewed by the Illinois State Court.

“I really don’t think Jesse can do more in his fight for the truth,” Roy said. “At this point, the decision of his guilt or innocence rests in the hands of the Illinois Supreme Court.”

As for regaining the public’s trust and rebuilding his career, it may not be possible for Smollett, says Jonathan Alpert, psychotherapist and author of “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days.”

Smollett filed an appeal in 2023. (Nuccio Di Nuzzo)

“In the interview with ET, Smollett says ‘my truth.'” “Well, ‘my truth’ isn’t always the actual truth, and Jussie still hasn’t accepted that,” Alpert told Fox News Digital. “When fans or the public give a celebrity or politician a second chance, it usually comes after an admission of wrongdoing, atonement and an apology. We didn’t see any of that with Smollett, just defiance.”

“In my opinion, if Smollett had admitted his guilt early and paid the price, he would have a better chance of being forgiven by the public and having a successful acting career in which he is respected,” Alpert continued. “As bad as the crime and the lie were, the public is forgiving and generally likes to see people get better. Be it overcoming a drug addiction, an affair or, as in Jussie’s case, an elaborate sham scheme to make certain people look bad simply based on the color of their skin and political affiliation.”

“However, Jussie has not admitted guilt and has not apologized,” he added. “If Smollett had followed the example of Hugh Grant or Will Smith and admitted his guilt early on, he might have a better chance of being forgiven by the public and launching a successful, respected acting career.”

Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz, Tracy Wright and Larry Fink contributed to this story.

JUSSIE SMOLLETT MAKES APPEAL FOR HATE CRIME CONVICTION