Empire star Jussie Smollett has called off his engagement to actor Jabari Redd, sources confirm, bringing a swift and quiet close to a romance that had been one of the entertainment world’s most celebrated recent love stories.
Sources close to the situation say Smollett called off the engagement within the last couple of weeks, delivering the news just shy of the one-year mark since he publicly popped the question.
The 43-year-old actor is apparently keeping his eyes forward. We’re told Smollett is focused on moving on and channeling his energy into his music career. No further details have emerged about what led to the split, and neither party has made a public statement.
On his 43rd birthday in June 2025, Smollett made the occasion unforgettable by proposing to Redd outdoors, catching him completely off guard. The post, which has since been removed, included a frame-by-frame timeline of the proposal.
On a street in front of a restaurant, Redd’s face lit up with a wide smile as he saw Smollett down on one knee. Subsequent photos captured Redd’s ecstatic reaction, the placement of the ring, and the pair embracing, with the final image a close-up of the sparkling ring on Redd’s finger.
The outpouring of support from the entertainment community at the time was immediate and effusive. Smollett’s siblings were among the first to respond. His sister Jurnee Smollett wrote, “Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you.” Jazz Smollett added, “Yaaaass!!! Welcome to the family, Jabari! Love y’all!! Sooooo happy for you both!” Friends and collaborators, including Robert Glasper, Amber Riley, and Empire executive producer Lee Daniels, also sent their congratulations.
Among the most memorable responses was that of Taraji P. Henson, Smollett’s former Empire co-star, who simply commented, “MY BABIES,” a reaction that quickly went viral. Henson has not yet publicly addressed the split.
Redd, for his part, is no stranger to the screen. The actor has appeared in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and the critically acclaimed drama “The Chi.” He and Smollett also starred together in the 2024 film “The Lost Holiday,” which Smollett wrote and directed, a project that many believed had deepened their bond before the romance became public.
For Smollett, the broken engagement is the latest turn in a years-long journey back into public life. The actor had been slowly re-emerging in the entertainment space through indie film and music following a period of significant public scrutiny after his 2019 controversy and subsequent legal battles.
The engagement had widely been seen as a symbol of personal renewal, a new chapter being written on his own terms.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Jussie Smollett has quietly ended his engagement to actor Jabari Redd less than a year after a very public, joyous proposal.
The split appears to have been Smollett’s decision, with sources saying he is moving on and focusing on his music career.
No explanation has been given, and both parties have remained silent.
