Love is in the air as Jussie Smollett, the former "Empire" star, has announced his engagement to boyfriend Jabari Redd. The joyous news was shared on Friday, June 20, 2025, coinciding with Smollett's 43rd birthday celebrations. The announcement was made via an emotional Instagram post, which included a series of photos capturing the special moment.
The Instagram post featured a carousel of images, showing Smollett down on one knee, proposing to Redd outside a restaurant. Another picture showed the newly engaged couple sharing a warm embrace, while a subsequent image offered a close-up view of the elegant engagement ring. Smollett captioned the post, "I'll be spending my birthday with my Fiancé… He said YES. 💍,". The proposal appears to have taken place on a rooftop garden.
The announcement quickly garnered a wave of congratulatory messages from fans, friends, and fellow celebrities. Among the first to respond were Vivica A. Fox, Taraji P. Henson, and Halle Berry, all expressing their excitement and joy for the couple. Henson, who played Smollett's on-screen mother in "Empire," commented, "MY BABIES ❤️❤️❤️."
Smollett's sister, actress Jurnee Smollett, also shared her heartfelt reaction, commenting, "Screaming with tears of joy!" She warmly welcomed Jabari Redd into the family, adding, "My whole heart loves both of you @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd. ❤️❤️". Another sister, Jazz Smollett, also expressed her excitement.
While the timeline of Smollett and Redd's relationship has been relatively private, it's known that the two co-starred in the 2023 film "The Lost Holiday," which Smollett also directed. Their on-screen collaboration appears to have blossomed into a real-life romance. In November 2024, Smollett mentioned he was in a relationship during an interview on the 'Way Up With Angela Yee' radio show.
Jabari Redd is a New York-born, multi-talented artist, actor, and producer. He received a GLAAD nomination for his role as D.C. in B-Boy Blues and also won a Fan Favorite award at the American Black Film Festival. Redd has also appeared in Showtime's "The Chi." Behind the camera, he has directed music videos and worked on events like the Young Money Uproar Hip Hop Festival.
This engagement marks a significant and positive turning point for Jussie Smollett, who has faced considerable public scrutiny following the 2019 hate crime controversy. In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his criminal convictions. Earlier in 2025, Smollett reportedly reached a settlement with the city of Chicago, agreeing to pay $50,000 to a charity. He selected the Building Better Futures Center for the Arts, an organization supporting young creatives in Chicago. With his legal troubles seemingly behind him, Jussie Smollett now appears focused on building a meaningful future alongside his fiancé, Jabari Redd.
