Jussie Smollett attends BET Awards and talks ‘expanding my “Empire”‘… as Twitter roasts him

Eyebrows raised as convicted hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett turned up on the red carpet of the 22nd annual BET Awards, which was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday.

An appeals court ordered the release of the disgraced 40-year-old from Chicago’s Cook County Jail on March 16 after only serving six days of a 150-day sentence for five counts of felony disorderly conduct.

And while Jussie’s case remains on appeal – he decided to showcase his chest hair by wearing a white tank top beneath a beige blazer, brown pleated pants, and black loafers.

Audacity: Eyebrows raised as convicted hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett turned up on the red carpet of the 22nd annual BET Awards, which was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday

Outrage: An appeals court ordered the release of the disgraced 40-year-old from Chicago’s Cook County Jail on March 16 after only serving six days of a 150-day sentence for five counts of felony disorderly conduct

Smollett – who was nominated for best actor at the 2015 BET Awards – accessorized with gold jewelry and had his curly locks coiffed by hairstylist Parris Wagner before the ceremony.

‘I never thought of myself as working my way back into Hollywood,’ the NoCal native told ET on Sunday.

‘This has always been the plan, to expand my empire, so to speak. To expand the level of what I want to do. I got to direct multiple episodes of the show as well as my music videos, I directed all of them.

‘But to be able to usher in just a new generation of artists of actors of this amazing talent that’s out there that has so much to tell you. That’s what is feeding me.’

Taking the plunge: And while Jussie’s case remains on appeal – he decided to showcase his chest hair by wearing a white tank top beneath a beige blazer, brown pleated pants, and black loafers

Glam: Smollett – who was nominated for best actor at the 2015 BET Awards – accessorized with gold jewelry and had his curly locks coiffed by hairstylist Parris Wagner before the ceremony

The NoCal native told ET on Sunday: ‘I never thought of myself as working my way back into Hollywood. This has always been the plan, to expand my empire, so to speak’

Teasing new song: Jussie went on to thank his supporters (mostly family and friends) and revealed he was ‘absolutely’ going to release ‘very, very good music very soon’

Jussie went on to thank his supporters (mostly family and friends) and revealed he was ‘absolutely’ going to release ‘very, very good music very soon.’

It didn’t take long for Smollett to start trending on Twitter as BET Awards viewers roasted him with a Photoshopped picture of him holding a Subway bag and a meme reading: ‘A lie is a lie no matter how Smollet is.’

‘Not Jussie smollet trying to get this black card reinstated #BETAwards #redcarpet,’ Twitter user @iMjustkinji wrote.

‘Who let Jussie Smollet into the #BETAwards?’ Twitter user @BabaBla47602512 asked.

It didn’t take long for Smollett to start trending on Twitter as BET Awards viewers roasted him with a Photoshopped picture of him holding a Subway bag and a meme reading: ‘A lie is a lie no matter how Smollet is’

‘This ni*** faked a hate crime and blamed white people for it, and got a slap on the wrist. If you got money, regardless of race, you have privilege.’

Twitter user @Tryan1975 wrote: ‘Somebody alert the authorities! Jussie Smollett’s attacker was just seen live on the red carpet at the BET Awards. #BETAwards #BETawards2022.’

Once safely inside the venue, the self-described ‘gay Tupac’ took his seat next to Brandee Evans, who played Michi in his feature directorial debut B-Boy Blues that dropped June 9 on BET+.

‘God, these random cuts to Jussie Smollett really make me uncomfortable,’ Twitter user @sleepymaserati wrote.

Promoting his movie: Once safely inside the venue, the self-described ‘gay Tupac’ took his seat next to Brandee Evans (R), who played Michi in his feature directorial debut B-Boy Blues that dropped June 9 on BET+

Twitter user @sleepymaserati wrote: ‘God, these random cuts to Jussie Smollett really make me uncomfortable. Like… We just out here pretending his situation didn’t happen? #BETAwards #BETawards2022’

‘Like… We just out here pretending his situation didn’t happen? #BETAwards #BETawards2022.’

Twitter user @EfeDeMorientes posted a face palm emoji captioned: ‘Jussie Smollett sittin in the front row at the @BETMusic #BETAwards.’

Even BET Awards host Taraji P. Henson was roasted over her fervent, vocal support of Jussie with one user tweeting: ‘Sis how as bout bringing it down a notch! We know you already extra for saying #JussieSmollett was innocent but this loud in our face ghetto act ain’t helping none of us! #BETAwards.’

The 51-year-old Oscar nominee famously played Loretha ‘Cookie’ Lyon, the mother of Smollett’s character Jamal Lyon in Fox’s Empire from 2015-2020.

Even BET Awards host Taraji P. Henson was roasted over her fervent, vocal support of Jussie with one user tweeting: ‘Sis how as bout bringing it down a notch! We know you already extra for saying #JussieSmollett was innocent but this loud in our face ghetto act ain’t helping none of us! #BETAwards’

Family: The 51-year-old Oscar nominee (L) famously played Loretha ‘Cookie’ Lyon, the mother of Smollett’s character Jamal Lyon in Fox’s Empire from 2015-2020

When the Might Ducks alum Instastoried about how much he ‘loves’ Taraji on Saturday, she replied: ‘I love you more baby!’

When the Might Ducks alum Instastoried about how much he ‘loves’ Taraji on Saturday, she replied: ‘I love you more baby!’

Just like how Amber Heard lost her case in the legal system and the court of public opinion, Jussie has maintained his innocence over faking his alleged racist and homophobic attack on January 29, 2019.

Smollett swears he was attacked by two Trump supporters despite his former personal trainers – the Osundairo brothers – testifying in court that he hired them to pour bleach on him and put a noose around his neck in order to boost his celebrity profile.

‘I am innocent!’ Just like how Amber Heard lost her case in the legal system and the court of public opinion, Jussie has maintained his innocence over faking his alleged racist and homophobic attack on January 29, 2019

‘This is MAGA country’: Smollett swears he was attacked by two Trump supporters despite his former personal trainers – the Osundairo brothers (pictured December 2) – testifying in court that he hired them to pour bleach on him and put a noose around his neck in order to boost his celebrity profile

‘I am not suicidal!’ The Daytime Emmy Award nominee was also fined $25K, ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the City of Chicago, and he was given 30 months of felony probation

The Daytime Emmy Award nominee was also fined $25K, ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the City of Chicago, and he was given 30 months of felony probation.

‘My entire career, but much more importantly, my entire life, along with my family, represented social justice. It’s like finding out that someone is exactly the opposite of who they claim to be. If I had done this, I’d be a piece of s***. And I don’t think that’s really questionable,’ Jussie said on Sway In the Morning last Tuesday.

‘If I had done something like this, it would mean that I stuck my fist in the pain of black African Americans in this country for over 400 years. It would mean that I stuck my fist in the fears of the LGBTQ community all over the world. I am not that motherf***er. Never have been. Don’t need to be.’

Jussie said on Sway In The Morning last Tuesday: ‘My entire career, but much more importantly, my entire life, along with my family, represented social justice. It’s like finding out that someone is exactly the opposite of who they claim to be. If I had done this, I’d be a piece of s***. And I don’t think that’s really questionable’

Smollett added: ‘If I had done something like this, it would mean that I stuck my fist in the pain of black African Americans in this country for over 400 years. It would mean that I stuck my fist in the fears of the LGBTQ community all over the world. I am not that motherf***er. Never have been. Don’t need to be’

2022 BET Awards Winners and Nominees

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Ari Lennox

Chlöe

Doja Cat

H.E.R.

Jazmine Sullivan – WINNER

Mary J. Blige

Summer Walker

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Blxst

Chris Brown

Givēon

Lucky Daye

The Weeknd

Wizkid

Yung Bleu

Best Group

Bruno Mars Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic)

Chlöe x Halle

City Girls

Lil Baby & Lil Durk

Migos Young

Dolph & Key Glock

Best Collaboration

‘Essence,’ Wizkid Feat. Justin Bieber & Tems – WINNER

‘Every Chance I Get,’ DJ Khaled Feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk

‘Family Ties,’ Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar

‘Kiss Me More,’ Doja Cat Feat. SZA

‘Way 2 Sexy,’ Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug

‘Whole Lotta Money (Remix),’ BIA Feat. Nicki Minaj

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Cardi B

Doja Cat

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Saweetie

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

Drake

Future

J. Cole

Jack Harlow

Kanye West

Kendrick Lamar

Lil Baby

Video of the Year

‘Family Ties,’ Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar

‘Have Mercy,’ Chlöe

‘Kiss Me More,’ Doja Cat Feat. SZA

‘Pressure,’ Ari Lennox

‘Smokin Out The Window,’ Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic) ‘Way 2 Sexy,’ Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug

Video Director of the Year

Anderson .Paak A.K.A. Director .Paak

Benny Boom

Beyoncé & Dikayl Rimmasch

Director X

Hype Williams

Missy Elliott

Best New Artist

Baby Keem

Benny The Butcher

Latto – WINNER

Muni Long

Tems

Yung Bleu

Album of the Year

‘An Evening with Silk Sonic,’ Bruno Mars, Anderson.Paak (Silk Sonic)

‘Back Of My Mind,’ H.E.R.

‘Call Me If You Get Lost,’ Tyler, The Creator

‘Certified Lover Boy,’ Drake

‘Donda,’ Kanye West

‘Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe,’ Jazmine Sullivan

‘Planet Her,’ Doja Cat

Best International Act

Dave (UK)

Dinos (France)

Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Fireboy DML (Nigeria)

Little Simz (UK)

Ludmilla (Brazil)

Major League DJz (South Africa)

Tayc (France)

Tems (Nigeria) – WINNER

Best Movie

‘Candyman’ ‘King Richard’

‘Respect’ ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’

‘Summer of Soul’ ‘The Harder They Fall’

Best Actor

Adrian Holmes, ‘Bel-Air’

Anthony Anderson, ‘Black-Ish’

Damson Idris, ‘Snowfall’

Denzel Washington, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’

Forest Whitaker, ‘Respect’ and ‘Godfather of Harlem’

Jabari Banks, ‘Bel-Air’ Sterling K. Brown, ‘This Is Us’

Will Smith, ‘King Richard’

Best Actress

Aunjanue Ellis, ‘King Richard’

Coco Jones, ‘Bel-Air’

Issa Rae, ‘Insecure’

Jennifer Hudson, ‘Respect’

Mary J. Blige, ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

Queen Latifah, ‘The Equalizer’

Quinta Brunson, ‘Abbott Elementary’

Regina King, ‘The Harder They Fall’

Zendaya, ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

YoungStars Award

Akira Akbar

Demi Singleton

Marsai Martin

Miles Brown

Saniyya Sidney

Storm Reid

Sportswoman of the Year Award

Brittney Griner

Candace Parker

Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams

Sha’Carri Richardson

Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year Award

Aaron Donald

Bubba Wallace

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ja Morant

Lebron James Stephen Curry

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

‘All In Your Hands,’ Marvin Sapp

‘Come To Life,’ Kanye West

‘Grace,’ Kelly Price

‘Hallelujah,’ Fred Hammond

‘Hold Us Together (Hope Mix),’ H.E.R. & Tauren Wells

‘Jireh,’ Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music

‘We Win,’ Lil Baby X Kirk Franklin – WINNER

BET Her

‘Best Of Me (Originals),’ Alicia Keys

‘Good Morning Gorgeous,’ Mary J. Blige – WINNER

‘Have Mercy,’ Chlöe ‘Pressure,’ Ari Lennox

‘Roster,’ Jazmine Sullivan

‘Unloyal,’ Summer Walker & Ari Lennox

‘Woman,’ Doja Cat

<!—-> Advertisement

Source: | Dailymail.co.uk

Original Article