Written by Elizabeth Johnson, CNN
Fans were an absolute delight in late February when they presented Jussie Smollett with his last gift from his beautiful bodyguard, Derek.
Fans sent The Empire star to his interview with “Good Morning America” upon the recommendation of Wendy Williams, who presented Smollett with a painting of the White House on February 24.
“How many people in my career have gotten to look into the eyes of the president of the United States?” Smollett remarked while speaking on the show.
The former slave and activist spoke about the risks he faced on his journey to balance the “two African American lives that I have to choose from.”
“Let me be clear, there is no black like me on the planet,” he added.
As fans celebrated their love for the star on Twitter, Smollett was said to be under the weather.
And yet, he was there to support his castmates and Imani Perry — a former beauty queen — in the premiere of their film, “Boomerang.”
Jussie Smollett performs with the singing trio Sugarbabies during the film premiere in Atlanta, Georgia on June 12, 2016. Credit: J.C. Desantis/Getty Images
It was all the more rare because Smollett had rarely made appearances on camera since reporting that he had been the victim of a hate crime by two men who they claimed were shouting racial and homophobic slurs at him in Chicago earlier this year.
It has all but been forgotten, however, because Smollett has been in the throes of an alleged false report of a hate crime that police now say they believe was staged by the 36-year-old actor.
Another former beauty queen, Tamara Butler, also participated in the festivities at the Atlanta premiere.
Once again, it was all about Smollett as he got ready to hit the red carpet.
“Let me just say that this is a miraculous night,” he said, according to the Southside Gazette. “And I stand here grateful to my castmates, to the NAACP, to all of you who showed up.”
Smollett even kept on singing while they took their pictures.
Never one to miss an opportunity, here’s hoping the man who sang his heart out at his star-studded premiere has a smooth ride through his near-record brawl with police.
Speaking to Embrace magazine, Smollett said, “Don’t give up on democracy, we need the votes. There’s still a lot of work to be done. If people are feeling disenfranchised and not feeling safe to express themselves, there needs to be more dialogue.”
Finally, here’s hoping that his fans will fight for the next time he sings.