Jussie Smollett on Trump’s America: ‘We got complacent. That’s why we’re in this situation.’
The Empire star gives a fiery interview on the state of the nation ahead of his D.C. show
Jussie Smollett is deeply concerned about the state of our country.
“As Americans, we give ourselves way too much credit,” says the gay musician and actor, known for his critically-acclaimed portrayal of gay musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox hit Empire. “We lie to ourselves about how wonderful we are, when we are not. We are great people. We are fierce, forceful, forthright, good people at our cores, but this country has not reflected that. What we have to remember is we had eight years of Obama, of feeling inspired, of feeling like somehow things were going to be okay, but during that period, we lost our ability to fight. We got comfortable, we got complacent. That’s why we’re in the situation that we’re in right now.
“Let us remember that Obama, for this country, is the anomaly,” he points out. “Trump is actually not such a huge misrepresentation of what our country in fact is. He’s what our country was built on — lies, deceit, thievery, let’s be honest…. This country is fucked up. It is. Point blank. Period. There’s no getting around it. We’ve got to clean it up.”
Smollett, who on Saturday will perform songs off his latest album, Sum of My Music, as well as several of his Empire hits, at U Street Music Hall, is billed as the host of the 5,000 Men Supreme Fantasy Mega Party later that night.
“I ain’t hosting shit,” he laughs. “Hosting is so impersonal, you know what I’m saying? I’m not going in to sit in some VIP area. I’m going to party with the people. I’m getting drunk with the people! I’m loving on the people! We’re going to be dancing! We’re going to be drinking! We’re going to be having a good time!”
Jussie Smollett appears on Saturday, May 26, at the U Street Music Hall. Victory Boyd opens. Doors and show at 7 p.m. General Admission tickets are $20. Meet and greet VIP tickets are $65. Visit 930.com/u-hall.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.