Jussie Smollett Is Engaged! Actor Proposes to Boyfriend Jabari Redd on the Eve of His 43rd Birthday
Jussie Smollett is starting a new chapter — with a ring and a resounding “yes.”
The former Empire star and director of The Lost Holliday revealed on Friday, June 20, that he proposed to his boyfriend, Jabari Redd, and the couple is now officially engaged.
“I’ll be spending my birthday with my fiancé… He said YES. ,” Smollett captioned a heartfelt Instagram carousel, announcing the happy news.
HERE ARE IMAGES OF THE PROPOSAL
..., shared just one day before his 43rd birthday, included a photo-by-photo breakdown of the proposal. In the pictures, the actor is seen getting down on one knee on a quiet street corner, with Redd appearing stunned — and ecstatic — as the moment unfolded. The couple is later seen laughing, embracing, and toasting with champagne. The final slide shows a close-up of the engagement ring shining on Redd’s hand.
Smollett and Redd first connected while working together on the 2024 romantic drama The Lost Holliday, Smollett’s second directorial project, where they played an onscreen couple. Art, it seems, imitated life — and then took it one step further.
Family & Friends Celebrate the News
The engagement announcement drew an outpouring of support from Smollett’s famous family and close friends.
His sister, actress Jurnee Smollett, was among the first to comment:
“Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd. ”
Jussie Smollett
Another sister, Jazz Smollett, wrote:
“I was WAITINGGGGGG!!!!!! Congratulations you twO I pray blessings cover you as you’ve covered each other.”
Taraji P. Henson, Smollett’s Empire co-star, also chimed in with love:
“MY BABIES ”
A Love Story in a Time of Transition
The engagement comes amid a period of both personal renewal and public redefinition for Smollett.
In late 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his criminal convictions related to the controversial 2019 incident in which he was accused of staging a hate crime against himself. The court found that his rights were violated when a special prosecutor refiled charges after the Cook County State’s Attorney had previously dropped them. This spring, he also settled a civil lawsuit with the City of Chicago, agreeing to pay $50,000 to charity — while continuing to maintain his innocence.
EMPIRE: L-R: Bryshere Y. Gray, Mario Van Peebles and Jussie Smollett behind the scenes in the “Love All, Trust a Few” episode of EMPIRE airing Wednesday, Oct. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (Photo by FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Professionally, Smollett has returned to filmmaking and recently screened The Lost Holliday at ABFF Global London x SOUL Fest in August 2024. In interviews, he has credited longtime friends like Henson for standing by him, calling her someone who’s “been there for me from day one.”
What’s Next for the Couple?
Though Smollett hasn’t shared any wedding plans just yet, his engagement comes with clear joy and a sense of turning a page. After years of public trials, setbacks, and headlines, the actor is now focusing on love, creation, and rebuilding.
And as he rings in 43 with his fiancé by his side, it’s clear that this birthday marks more than just another year — it’s the beginning of a new era.
