Jussie Smollett Faces Renewed Charges, Calls Case A "Dog & Pony Show": Report

Just when you thought you’d heard the last of this scandal, Jussie Smollett returned to court. In January 2019, reports surfaced stating that the Empire actor was hospitalized following a hate crime attack in Chicago. What developed was a whirlwind of information and accusations, and soon, Smollett was accused of staging the encounter for publicity and an increase in pay from his show.

The polarizing case divided fans and even Smollett’s famous friends who either made fun of or chastised him over the “hoax,” or stood by him through the backlash. Later, Smollett was let go from Empire and his career has hung in the balance ever since, and while he’s remained relatively quiet about the case, on Wednesday (July 14), Smollett was back in court.