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Jussie Smollett Breaks His Silence After Attack, Expresses Frustration Over Misrepresentations Of His Story
![jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic](https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/480x251/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 480w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/640x335/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 640w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/768x402/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 768w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/1024x536/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 1024w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/1280x670/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 1280w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/1440x753/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 1440w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/1600x837/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 1600w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/3ACDnHPJF/2160x1130/2019/02/jussie-smollett-statement-post-pic.jpg 2160w)
Feb. 1 2019, Updated 5:27 p.m. ET
Jussie Smollett has broken his silence after suffering an apparent homophobic and racist attack in Chicago, Tuesday January 29, 2019. The Hollywood star released a statement exclusively to Essence a day after authorities revealed they had footage of persons of interest in relation to the incident.
![Jussie Smollett at SIrius XM.](https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/480x307/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 480w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/640x409/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 640w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/768x490/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 768w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/1024x653/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 1024w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/1280x817/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 1280w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/1440x919/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 1440w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/1600x1021/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 1600w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/0OJGJVZP3/2160x1378/2019/01/GettyImages-1061539710.jpg 2160w)
“Let me start by saying that I’m OK,” Jussie, 35, assured readers.
![Jussie Smollett at Alvin Ailey American Dance](https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/480x307/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 480w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/640x409/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 640w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/768x490/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 768w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/1024x653/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 1024w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/1280x817/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 1280w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/1440x919/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 1440w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/1600x1021/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 1600w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/TDOubqu7Y/2160x1378/2019/01/GettyImages-1066280144.jpg 2160w)
"My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly I want to say thank you. The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words,” he continued.
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The actor and singer then addressed the speculation that his story with police has changed. “I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level. Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served.”
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He didn't address the details of what happened to him, but said "We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident, but I need a moment to process.”
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“Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me,” the Empire star said before ending his statement.
![AmfAR Dance2Cure Event](https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/480x307/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 480w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/640x409/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 640w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/768x490/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 768w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/1024x653/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 1024w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/1280x817/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 1280w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/1440x919/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 1440w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/1600x1021/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 1600w, https://media.okmagazine.com/brand-img/s9CgovRVb/2160x1378/2019/01/GettyImages-1067410630.jpg 2160w)
He did not mention his concert scheduled for Saturday, February 2 in Los Angeles, although the venue told Entertainment Tonight the show was still happening as planned.