Jussie Smollett was seen reading Matthew Perry's harrowing memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which details the late star's lifelong battle with addiction, after he reportedly entered an outpatient rehab facility in mid-October had.
As the 41-year-old disgraced actor sat outside a cafe in Studio City, California, on Tuesday afternoon, he appeared engrossed in Perry's autobiography. which was released last year.
During his relaxed outing, the Empire star cut a casual figure in a black hoodie over a gray T-shirt, joggers and a pair of black and white striped mules.
After putting down his book, Smollett answered a phone call and opened his MacBook.
Bookworm: Jussie Smollett was spotted reading Matthew Perry's harrowing memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which details the late star's lifelong battle with addiction after he reportedly checked into an outpatient rehab facility in mid-October had entered
Focused: As he sat outside a cafe in Studio City, California, on Tuesday afternoon, the 41-year-old disgraced actor, who lost his appeal of his conviction for staging an anti-gay, racist attack on himself earlier this month, appeared absorbed in Perry's autobiography
He apparently tried to remain unnoticed by wearing his hood over an orange cap and keeping to himself.
This fall, TMZ reported that Smollett was being treated at an outpatient facility at an undisclosed location.
“Jussie has had extremely difficult times in recent years. “He has been quietly working very hard for some time and we are proud of him for taking these necessary steps,” a spokesperson for the actor said in a statement at the time.
It's unknown exactly why Smollett is going to rehab, but testimony during his most recent trial suggests heavy drug use.
Smollett requested a new trial in March after he was jailed for orchestrating the attack on himself.
During the police investigation, Chicago police officers concluded that Smollett had hired brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo to carry out the crime. He was sentenced to 150 days in prison last year.
In the 102-page appeal, they wrote: “Mr. “Smollett's constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial were denied by prosecutorial misconduct, including allegations that a defense witness was pressured to change his testimony … and shifting the burden during closing arguments.”
Smollett was convicted in December of five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police about being the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack that he said was carried out by Trump supporters who shouted, “This is MAGA country.” .”
He told Chicago police he was approached by two masked strangers on a dark street.
Shocking: Perry's autobiography was published last year
Low key: During his relaxed outing, the Empire star cut a casual figure in a black hoodie over a gray T-shirt, joggers and a pair of black and white striped mules
Caffeinated: The actor sipped on a warm drink while sitting outside
Staying busy: After putting down his book, Smollett answered a phone call and opened his MacBook
Casual: He apparently tried to go unnoticed by wearing his hood over an orange hat and keeping to himself
According to his account of the attack, the attackers threw a noose around his neck and doused him with chemicals while shouting racist and homophobic slurs and expressing support for then-President Donald Trump.
The two attackers were the Nigerian brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo, who are black.
The brothers who testified at trial told the jury that Smollett hired them to fake the attack because he wanted to increase his notoriety.
Smollett later claimed that in the days before the stunt, when prosecutors said he and the brothers were rehearsing the attack, they actually got together to smoke marijuana.
He shocked the court when he claimed he “made out” and “masturbated” with Abimbola Osundairo during a visit to a bathhouse.
Smollett appealed his December 2021 conviction for staging an anti-gay, racist attack on himself and then lying about it to Chicago police; pictured in 2019
Smollett was found guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police about being the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack that he said was carried out by Trump supporters who shouted, “This is MAGA country.” .” Police said Smollett cut his own cheek to make it appear he had suffered injuries in the attack
Jussie Smollett was found guilty of staging and reporting a false hate crime against herself (published in 2019)
The actor told the jury he believed the brothers staged the attack on him to scare him into thinking he needed bodyguards and to give them the job.
In March 2022, three months after a jury found him guilty of disorderly conduct, a judge sentenced the actor to 150 days in jail.
Smollett was just six days into his sentence when an appeals court ordered him released from custody pending an appeal of his conviction and sentence.
The Osundairo brothers have since filed a defamation lawsuit, claiming Smollett's comments were part of an attempt to portray them as racist, homophobic and violent men who actually attacked him.