Jurnee Smollett and Jussie Smollett are two of the most talented actors in Hollywood, but they are also siblings who share a strong bond. The two started their acting careers as children and have appeared in several projects together, such as the sitcom “On Our Own” and the movie “Eve’s Bayou”. But their relationship has also been tested by a controversial scandal that rocked their family and the public. Here is everything you need to know about Jurnee Smollett’s relationship with Jussie.
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Jurnee Smollett is Jussie Smollett’s blood sister
According to Female Finest, Jurnee Smollett is related to Jussie Smollett. They are siblings and both started their acting careers in their childhood period. Jurnee Smollett is a blood sister of Jussie Smollett. Jurnee is the fourth of six siblings, all actors: Jazz Smollett is a sister, while Jussie, JoJo, Jake, and Jocqui are her brothers.
Jurnee was born on October 1, 1986, in New York City, while Jussie was born on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California. Their parents are Janet Harris and Joel Smollett Sr., who are of African-American, Jewish, Native American and Irish descent. The family moved to Los Angeles when Jurnee was four years old to pursue their acting dreams.
Jurnee Smollett supports her brother through his scandal
Jurnee Smollett has only publicly stated her opinion on her older brother Jussie’s case once, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter . In February 2019, Jussie was arrested for filing a false report after claiming two masked men attacked him in Chicago in January. However, the suspects in the case, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, later sued the actor’s legal team for defamation, alleging Jussie had orchestrated the entire attack as a means of elevating his status as an openly gay, Black actor.
Although the charges against the actor were eventually dropped, a new prosecutor and special grand jury reinstated them. Smollett told The Hollywood Reporter the incident had been “one of the most painful things my family’s ever experienced — to love someone as much as we love my brother, and to watch someone who you love that much go through something like this, that is so public, has been devastating.”
As a supporter of Black Lives Matter, Smollett added that she’d already been dealing with negative emotions for various reasons when her brother’s alleged attack occurred. “I’ve tried to not let it make me pessimistic,” she said. “But everyone who knows me knows that I love my brother and I believe my brother.”
In March 2021, Smollett was photographed near her brother’s side in court when prosecutors protested his new defense attorney, citing a conflict of interest³. While the older Smollett’s case is still pending, his younger sister remains supportive.
Jurnee Smollett has her own successful career
Jurnee Smollett has not let her brother’s scandal overshadow her own achievements as an actress. She has starred in several acclaimed films and TV shows, such as “The Great Debaters”, “Friday Night Lights”, “True Blood”, “Underground”, “Birds of Prey” and “Lovecraft Country”. She has also won several awards and nominations for her performances, such as a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for “Lovecraft Country” in 2021.
Smollett has also been vocal about social issues that matter to her, such as racial justice, women’s rights and environmental activism. She has worked with organizations such as Artists for a New South Africa, Black AIDS Institute and Children’s Defense Fund. She has also spoken out about her own experiences with sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Smollett is currently married to musician Josiah Bell, whom she wed in 2010. They have one son together, Hunter Zion Bell, who was born in 2016.
Conclusion
Jurnee Smollett and Jussie Smollett are siblings who have a close relationship despite the challenges they have faced. They are both talented actors who have made their mark in Hollywood with their diverse roles and projects. They are also passionate about social causes and their family. Jurnee Smollett is related to Jussie Smollett, and she stands by him through his scandal.
