Netflix to release documentary ‘The Truth About Jussie Smollett?’ on Aug. 22

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Netflix is set to premiere a provocative new documentary, The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, on Aug. 22. The documentary revisits one of the most controversial celebrity scandals of the past decade.

About The Truth About Jussie Smollett? Netflix documentary

The 90-minute feature offers a fresh lens on the 2019 incident that captivated headlines and sparked nationwide debate.

Exploring reported hate crime

The film chronicles actor Jussie Smollett’s claim that:

• he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago
• the subsequent police investigation that alleged he staged the attack
• the years-long legal saga that followed

What sets this documentary apart is Smollett’s own voice: the former Empire star appears in a rare on-camera interview, breaking his silence and offering his perspective on the events that unraveled his career.

“The Truth About Jussie Smollett” looks at the social and political tensions of 2019, a time when public opinion and trust were shifting. The documentary includes interviews with police officers, lawyers, reporters, and investigators who say they offer new information about the case.

Conviction overturned

Smollett was initially indicted on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct, later re-indicted and convicted on five counts in 2021. Though sentenced to 150 days in jail, he served only six before the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 2024, citing procedural violations. In May 2025, Smollett reached a settlement with the City of Chicago and pledged $60,000 to charity.

How to watch The Truth About Jussie Smollett?

Netflix describes the film as “a shocking true story of an allegedly fake story that some now say might just be a true story,” inviting viewers to draw their own conclusions.

The Truth About Jussie Smollett? will be available for streaming exclusively on Netflix on August 22.