Kaylah Walton
As the legal troubles of Jussie Smollett continue, fresh claims have emerged regarding his rationale for staging a fake hate crime back in 2019. In an interview, Nigerian brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo, who were involved in the incident, revealed that Smollett argued that many Hollywood celebrities habitually fabricate stories to gain publicity. He specifically mentioned Kim Kardashian’s 2016 Paris robbery as an example of a staged event, a claim that lacks evidence and has been firmly rejected by French officials.
During their appearance on Fox & Friends, the Osundairo brothers called on Smollett to confess. Abel noted, “He implied that this is a common practice in Hollywood,” reflecting on how Smollett tried to convince them that the scheme was merely a standard publicity stunt.
Implications of Smollett’s overturned conviction
This news emerges following the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Smollett’s conviction based on legal loopholes involving a prior arrangement with Cook County DA Kim Foxx. This ruling has incited significant backlash, reigniting conversations around privilege and accountability in the justice system.
Abel Osundairo expressed his discontent with the lenient deal Smollett received, asserting, “Regular citizens wouldn’t receive this kind of treatment. It highlights the disparity in the justice system—one for the elite and another for everyone else.”
They also disclosed that while Smollett did compensate them for their involvement in the fraud, he still owes them $500, a sum they have little hope of retrieving.
Investigating Kardashian’s robbery: truths and myths
Kardashian’s team has not yet responded to Smollett’s controversial assertions. The 2016 robbery, during which Kardashian was attacked by masked intruders in a Paris hotel, was thoroughly investigated by French authorities, resulting in multiple arrests and convictions.
The idea that the robbery was staged has no factual substantiation. Nonetheless, Smollett allegedly used this narrative to persuade the Osundairo brothers to assist him in his scheme.
Smollett’s current situation
Even with the overturning of his conviction, Smollett’s reputation remains severely damaged. He persists in denying any wrongdoing despite a 2021 trial that found him guilty of deceiving law enforcement.
Many view Smollett’s actions as a poignant reminder of the dangers of manipulating serious topics such as racism and homophobia for self-serving purposes. As the Osundairo brothers stated, “The true injustice is Smollett‘s refusal to acknowledge his accountability.”
