LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; Jussie Smollett, the actor known for his role on 'Empire', has voluntarily entered an outpatient rehab treatment program, a year after his release from jail where he served six days of his 150 day sentence.
The decision comes following a turbulent period in Smollett's life, marked by legal troubles and a deeply controversial hate crime hoax.
Smollett's journey of 'self-improvement'
A reliable source close to the former 'Empire' star disclosed that this was an endeavor Smollett had contemplated for quite some time.
Their comments revealed that Smollett had recently concluded work on a movie project and sensed that it was an opportune moment to focus on self-improvement and well-being.
TMZ originally broke the story, with Smollett's representative acknowledging that he has confronted a series of immense challenges over the past few years.
The rep offered a glimpse into the actor's ongoing efforts to overcome these adversities and expressed pride in the actor's decision to enter the rehabilitation program.
Notably, Smollett's public relations team has yet to respond to Page Six's request for an official statement regarding the matter.
Smollett's decision to enter rehab comes over a year after his release from Chicago's Cook County Jail.
He got a five-month sentence (150 days) after his conviction on five counts of felony disorderly conduct. He was released after six days on bond from the jail in Chicago, pending an appeal against his conviction.
Smollett has always maintained the hoax incident, which took place in Chicago in 2019, was real. He had to sign a $150,000 recognizance bond prior to his release but had made no comment as he left Cook County jail surrounded by security.
His conviction and subsequent sentencing arose from a falsified police report in which he alleged a hate crime had occurred.
In 2019, Smollett gained widespread attention when he reported to the Chicago police that two individuals, seemingly supporters of then-President Donald Trump, had attacked him while making derogatory remarks.
The actor claimed that the assailants had subjected him to physical violence and had poured a substance he believed to be bleach over him.
Internet reacted to Smollett's rehab news
Internet users were quick to react to the news of Smollett's rehab journey, with some offering lighthearted comments about the actor's past actions.
One user wrote "Rehab for tellin tall tales". Another wrote, "Can you get Subway at rehab?"
"Rehab for liars??? Didn't know there was such a thing." another added.
"The privilege this guy gets. Unbelievable," another commented. "Actually acting classes," mocked the next tweet.
