Jussie Smollett Says Black Women Saved His Life

Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summers caught up with Jussie Smollett, who joined Vivica Fox and Mona Scott-Young to promote their critically acclaimed new movie “Lost Holliday,” dropping in AMC theaters this weekend.

He tells Radio One that during his darkest days following his arrest for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself in 2019, Black women came to his side, “I would not physically be here any longer if it were not for the Black women that were pushing me and helping me and lifting me up and loving on me when the rest of the world was telling me I was absolutely unlovable,” he reveals.

MORE: Recalling The Tawana Brawley Case As Jussie Smollett Is Found Guilty Of Staging Racist Hate Crime Hoax

He says his mother, siblings and women like Fox and Scott-Young kept him going, “It was really difficult. I was inside and I was not coming outside. I did not want to see anybody. I did not want to be seen. And Mona was the one that said, get your pants on. Let’s create. You’re too talented to just let this just fester inside of you. You got to get up. And that’s the reason why I’m still here physically It’s something that I’ll never be able to truly repay. I’m grateful. It’s that Black girl magic.”

The charges in the case were initially dropped before political pressure compelled the appointment of a special prosecutor who reinstated the charges. Smollett was ultimately convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct. The case is currently under appeal.  His lawyers argue his Fifth Amendment protections against double jeopardy were violated.

Vivica Fox says, “Now here we are. We have a film out that I feel is going to be a classic”

The new film “Lost Holliday,” directed and starring Smollett and Fox, will make you cry, laugh and touch your heart. It tells the story of a mother, Cassandra Marshall (Vivica Fox), who arrives in Los Angeles to plan the funeral of her estranged son, Damien Holliday (Jabari Redd), and discovers that the funeral arrangements are already being handled by her son’s husband, Jason Holliday (Jussie Smollett)—a man and a marriage she knew nothing about. There’s plenty of conflict.  Jason was planning to cremate her son.  Cassandra objects, “Black people don’t burn their loved ones up,” and the battles continue.  But during the film, Cassandra learns more about her son’s death than she ever did in his life.

Multimedia maverick Mona Scott-Young helped produce the film along with Fox, an executive producer and Jussie Smollett.

“People hear us talk about how emotional, touching and heartfelt it is but it’s a fun movie, Scott-Young shares. “The beauty is it connects with people from all different walks of life and ethnicities and sexual orientation. We see a lot of fractures in the Black family dynamic, whether it’s an absent dad or whether it’s estranged siblings. And that pain, that hurt, that generational trauma is unfortunately something that permeates a lot of our family dynamic. This story touches on the broader theme of family,  healing and reconciliation and forgiveness.”

Smollett shares that the movie was inspired in many ways by his own family:

“It was eight years in the making. I was inspired by my mother, who, in the mid-seventies as a Black woman, married into a non-Black family.  It wasn’t always easy for her to navigate that. It was a much different time. And the things that she went through with my father’s side of the family were difficult. “

Smollett’s own relationship with his dad wasn’t easy

“My mom’s and grandmother’s ability to forgive and come together inspired me to make amends with my father, although he was no longer here in the physical form. There were things that were left unsaid between us before he passed. Doing that work of forgiveness and learning how to grieve is all in the film.”

Fox says she starred in the movie because of Smollett,  “My nephew, Jussie and I go back like Kool-Aid. I love his family. I used to go over to their house all the time. Their mom would do a fish fry, french fries, and salted spinach, which is still one of my favorite meals to this day. So when Jussie approached me and said, I need you’ that was all he had to say.”

Jabari Redd, who plays the husband, tells Summers the film stirred a lot of emotions in the cast and crew:

“We cried all the time. But that’s the greatness of this movie. It really does takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of laughter and sadness. You crying one minute and you laughing the next second.”

The three also talked about their own love lives.

“I’m deeply in love, “reveals Smollett. “I’m in a committed relationship and put a period after that. Jason (the character in the movie), aside from the fact that he loses his husband, is living the life that I intend to live. It’s the life that I want of adopting a baby, of having that family life.”

Scott -Young has known her husband Shawn Young for 28 years and they’ve been married 26.

“Not only is he secure,” she remarks, “But he understands my potential, my aspirations. And together, we have been able to forge a family and build a business and provide a legacy for our children. I could not have done any of it without him right there beside me. I was asked once how I feel about being the breadwinner.  No, I’m not the breadwinner because I would not have the ability to be out here without his support. That unconditional support he gives me is so necessary for us as women.”

Jussie Smollett cosigns their union, “ I’ve seen that man and when I tell you he’s so secure in himself that he’s not afraid for anybody to know just how much he adores her.”

Scott-Young met her husband while he was a bodyguard for Busta Rhymes, whom she used to manage.

Fox says she is free and single, but don’t get it twisted she warns she’s not taking applications:

“My spirit is so happy. I am in such a wonderful space in my life. I never thought turning 60 years old that I would be so booked, busy, and blessed in that order.”

She admits life would be even better with a partner. What is she looking for?

“I want somebody that’s fun. I want someone that’s at the stage in life that I am. I’m comfortable in the skin I’m in. I like to have fun. I like to travel. I like to shop.  And have a joy for life. Love the Lord. Be spiritual. Be good to your family. Be a good person.”

Oh and “you have to have a platinum card,” she jokes.

As for the reports that 50 Cent was THE love of her life, “He was one of them,” she laughs.

And their bad habits?

The multimedia maverick Scott-Young, who just came off tour with her artist Missy Elliott and now is on a multi-nation tour promoting “Lost Holliday,”  tells Summers: “ Before I take that last breath, I want to be able to say with the utmost confidence that I have explored every ounce of what I’m capable of in this lifetime. That I have tried it all, that I have done it all. But then that leads me to taking on a lot and trying to do it all simultaneously. And I’d love to get to a place where I allow myself to rest. I struggle with that. My mind is always racing”.

For Jussie Smollett, “it’s seeing myself through other people’s eyes. Every day it’s a challenge, but I’m getting better and better every single day to not let that rule how I see myself.”

Fox discloses, “My bad habit is I am like OCD. I like things in place. I’m a little bit of a neat freak.”

You can catch the entire conversation in the video above, with more on Jussie and his father, homophobia and the entire trio talking about getting through the tough times and loving.

Lost Holliday is in AMC theaters now. You can Follow @TheLostHolliday #TheLostHollidayFilm #ASuperMassiveMovie #MonamiEntertainment #MegaMindMedia

Article by Jazmyn Summers. Photos and video by Se7en of Revenue Entertainment. You can subscribe to Jazmyn Summers youtube and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

SEE ALSO:

Jussie Smollett’s Brother Says Homophobia In The Black Community Is The Reason For Lack Of Support

Indicted: Jussie Smollett Hit With New Charges Over Alleged Attack

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