Jussie Smollett gives first live performance in eight years at Harlem Pride

Jussie Smollett, the actor whose conviction in the 2019 hate-crime hoax case was later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court, returned to the stage over the weekend for his first full performance in eight years — and was promptly roasted online, including by rapper 50 Cent.

Mr. Smollett headlined Harlem Pride’s “17 Shades of Pride” celebration at West Harlem’s 12th Avenue waterfront on June 27, sharing the bill with artists Jus10, Hibiscus and 2AM Ricky in an event hosted by activist Hope Giselle. The “Empire” alum performed a roughly 30-minute set drawing from his catalog, including his newest album, “Break Out.”

“I’m so excited to perform back home for Harlem Pride. It’s been eight years since I last gave a full show,” Mr. Smollett said in a statement ahead of the event. “We have 30 minutes to make folks forget their worries while recognizing that now is the time, more than ever before, to be bolder, braver and unapologetically proud.”

The performance drew mixed reactions online, with some social media users mocking Mr. Smollett’s singing, while others, including “Queer Eye” star Karamo Brown, came to his defense. Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who has feuded with Mr. Smollett for years over the rival television dramas “Power” and “Empire,” posted a clip of the performance to Instagram with a jab at fans of the FOX series.

“See I told you ’POWER’ was the s—, but No you want to watch ’Empire.’ Now look this its all your fault. LOL,” Mr. 50 Cent wrote.

A representative for Mr. Smollett told Fox News Digital that “given the complexities of his own personal life, 50 Cent might be better served tending to matters closer to home rather than taking public shots at Jussie.”

Mr. Smollett, now 44, rose to fame for his role as Jamal Lyon on “Empire” before his name became synonymous with one of the most closely watched hoax cases in recent memory. He told Chicago police in January 2019 that he had been attacked by two masked men who shouted racial and anti-gay slurs and put a noose around his neck. Investigators alleged — and the Osundairo brothers testified at trial — that Mr. Smollett paid the brothers to stage the assault for publicity. Mr. Smollett has maintained his innocence throughout.

A Cook County jury convicted Mr. Smollett in December 2021 on five counts of felony disorderly conduct, and he was sentenced the following March to 150 days in jail and 30 months’ probation. He served roughly six days before being released on appeal.

In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the conviction in a 5-0 ruling, finding that Mr. Smollett should not have faced a second prosecution after the Cook County state’s attorney’s office had already reached a nonprosecution agreement with him in 2019 in exchange for forfeiting his bond and performing community service. Special Prosecutor Dan Webb, who brought the case, said at the time that the ruling “has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett’s innocence” and that it did not disturb the jury’s verdict.

The city of Chicago separately pursued a civil lawsuit against Mr. Smollett to recoup more than $120,000 in police overtime costs from investigating the case. That suit was dismissed in 2025 after Mr. Smollett agreed to make a $50,000 charitable donation to a Chicago arts nonprofit rather than pay the city directly.

“I am innocent both in the eyes of God and of our criminal justice system,” Mr. Smollett said in a statement at the time.