In a moment of personal triumph coinciding with his legal vindication, former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett marked his 43rd birthday weekend by announcing his engagement to longtime partner Jabari Redd, capping off what has been a transformative year for the embattled actor.
Smollett revealed the news Friday evening on Instagram, sharing an intimate carousel of photos that captured the proposal moment, writing, “I’ll be spending my birthday with my fiancé… He said, YES.” The images showed the actor down on one knee, his partner’s joyful acceptance, a close-up of the engagement ring, and celebratory embraces with champagne.
The engagement announcement comes during Pride Month and represents a significant personal milestone for Smollett, whose public life has been overshadowed by legal battles stemming from a controversial 2019 incident. The timing appears particularly symbolic, arriving just seven months after the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction in a case that accused him of falsely reporting a hate crime to Chicago police.
Support poured in from family and former colleagues, with sister Jurnee Smollett publicly welcoming Redd to the family on social media. Taraji P. Henson, Smollett’s former “Empire” co-star, also expressed excitement and congratulations, demonstrating continued loyalty from his television family despite the years of controversy.
The legal developments have been crucial to Smollett’s recent narrative. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors had no standing to charge Smollett after an initial agreement saw him forfeit $10,000 in bond and complete 16 hours of community service. This decision effectively cleared his name from the criminal charges that had dominated headlines since January 2019.
Smollett also resolved his civil disputes with the City of Chicago in May, reportedly settling by donating $50,000 to charity. This settlement appears to have closed the final chapter of his legal troubles, allowing him to focus on personal matters.
The engagement represents a new chapter for the 43-year-old actor, who has maintained a relatively low public profile since the conclusion of “Empire” and throughout his legal proceedings. While details about partner Jabari Redd remain limited, the couple’s relationship appears to have provided stability during what has been a tumultuous period.
For Smollett, who built his career on the groundbreaking Fox series that ran from 2015 to 2020, this engagement signals a potential return to more positive headlines. The actor’s legal vindication, combined with this personal milestone, suggests he may be positioned for a career comeback as he enters his 44th year.
The announcement during Pride Month adds particular resonance, as Smollett has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment. His willingness to share such an intimate moment publicly may indicate his readiness to re-engage with his fan base and the broader entertainment community.
As congratulations continue to pour in from fans and colleagues, the engagement serves as a reminder that, beyond the legal headlines and industry controversies, personal joy and love stories continue to unfold—even for those who have faced intense public scrutiny.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Jussie Smollett has announced his engagement to partner Jabari Redd on his 43rd birthday, marking a personal milestone that coincides with his legal vindication. The Illinois Supreme Court overturned his 2019 hate crime conviction in November 2024, and he settled civil disputes with Chicago in May.
This engagement represents a fresh start for the former “Empire” star, signaling his potential return to public life after years of legal battles that overshadowed his career.
