Does Jussie Smollett Have a Wife? The Actor Is Gay and Keeps His Dating Life Secret

Award-winning television actor Jussie Smollett is a former child star and is best known for portraying musician Jamal Lyson in the Fox drama series, "Empire." Despite being famous, the actor, who is openly gay, keeps his dating life out of the spotlight.

Jussie Smollett made history by becoming one of the few actors to play a black gay character on primetime TV. His role in the show made him a household name as it was his breakout role.

"Empire" aired for six seasons from 2015 and 2020, and the Santa Rose, California-born star bagged the Best Supporting Actor Award in a Drama Series at the 2017 NAACP Images Awards.

Smollett earned Emmy and Grammy nominations for his role on the hit television show, starring alongside Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, and Gabourey Sidibe.

His Jamal character on "Empire" is about a talented R&B singer trying to prove himself to his father to work alongside him in his music empire. In addition to being an actor, he is also a director and producer.

Does Jussie Smollett Have a Wife? – He Came Out as a Gay Man

Regarding Jussie Smollett's personal life, he does not have a wife, and there is no news about him having a partner, as he is generally very private about his life and relationships. However, he publicly came out as a gay man in 2015 during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. He said:

"There's never been a closet that I've been in. [..] But I have a home. And that is my responsibility to protect that home."

The actor, with over 4 million followers on Instagram, further explained that despite choosing not to discuss his personal life, he has never denied his sexuality or pretended to be someone he was not.

Jussie Smollett Comments on How People Reacted to Him Coming Out as a Gay Man

After revealing to DeGeneres that he is gay in a backstage interview, Smollett told Variety that people made a fuss about him coming out. The actor said:

"It was a bigger deal to everyone than it was for me."

Yet again, the actor emphasized that he does not want to talk publicly about his personal life. However, he did state that he would use his platform to show other people that they are not alone in their journeys.

Smollett stated he did not open up to DeGeneres so that his love life could be an open discussion. He only did it so that others could find comfort in knowing that others share the same journey.

Jussie Smollett on Being Proudly Gay & His Alleged Boyfriend

In a January 2016 interview, Smollett got more candid about being proudly gay. He spoke passionately about his journey, saying:

"I am a gay man with an extremely open heart. [..] If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man. With that said, I believe that love is the only thing that matters."

He further expressed his hope that individuals would remain open to love, regardless of gender, and affirmed that even if he fell in love with a woman in the future, he would wholeheartedly embrace that love.

Although he spoke of love, Smollett allegedly dated Abimbola Osundairo, who, along with his brother, Olabinjo Osundairo, supposedly attacked the actor in a hate crime case.

However, in 2021, the brothers told the court that Smollett had paid them to fake an attack on him. Moreover, the actor's alleged partner denied ever having a relationship with him. Since the case, the actor has not been linked to other relationships.