This past week, former Empire star Jussie Smollett brought his second feature, The Lost Holiday, to the American Black Film Festival’s Queer Lens Brunch with GLAAD. Starring Vivica A. Fox, the film follows the story of a “a man whose husband is killed just as the couple was adopting their daughter; he must also contend with the mother-in-law he never met.”
“It means a great deal to have the love and support of my queer Black community and equally to have the love and support of the Black community as a whole,” Smollett told The Hollywood Reporter.
However, promoting The Lost Holiday is not the only thing on the mind of the 41-year-old director and actor. During ABFF’s Queer Lens Brunch, panel discussion moderator Sidra Smith talked about Smollett’s “perseverance” as he appeals a five-month jail sentence. In 2021, he was charged and convicted on five felony counts of disorderly conduct after being accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack on himself. Despite the conviction and evidence provided by prosecutor, he continues to push back against public discourse and proclaim his innocence.
“Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and let everybody think that you’re crazy, that you’re shady, that you’re a fraud, whatever they’re going to think,” Smollett continued.
“And then they’ll figure it out. They’ll figure it out because I can’t sit here forever trying to explain.”
Smollett served six days in jail before being released as his appeal continues. Meanwhile, The Last Holiday has yet to receive a wide release date.
