Real-Life Loves
Who Is ‘Special Forces’ Star Jussie Smollett’s Partner? Inside His Love Life
Jussie Smollett is currently taking on one of the hardest tasks of his life as a contestant on Season 4 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. The actor has said that he wants this to be a “reset” after his past very public controversy. Smollett was accused of staging a hate crime against himself but has maintained his innocence, and his conviction was overturned in November 2024.
Someone who’s shown Smollett unwavering support amid his issues is his romantic partner. Scroll down for everything we know about the Empire alum’s love life.
Who is Jussie Smollett engaged to?
Smollett announced his engagement to Jabari Redd in June 2025. In a now-deleted Instagram post, which included photos from his proposal, Smollett wrote, “He said YES.”
While it’s unclear exactly when the two started dating, Smollett first made an appearance on Redd’s Instagram page in 2022, according to People. The men both starred in the 2024 film The Lost Holliday, but had not confirmed their romance at the time.
“I’m unavailable, and I’m in love. It’s been about a year,” Redd said while promoting the film in September 2024. Smollett added, “I too am unavailable and deeply in love.” However, they did not name each other as their significant others.
What does Jabari Redd do for a living?
Like Smollett, Redd is an actor. Most notably, he was in five episodes of The Chi in 2023 and 2024. He also appeared in the 2021 film B-Boy Blues, which was directed and written by Smollett, as well as a number of shorts.
Additionally, Redd has worked as a producer, best known for producing some of Soulja Boy’s music videos.
Prior to working in entertainment, Redd was an athlete. He played football and ran track at his New York high school, then ran track at Hampton University in Virginia and Morehouse College. Despite initially planning to become a doctor, Redd told Gaye magazine, “There came a point where I had to do some self-reflection and figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Acting was number one.”
When did Jussie Smollett come out?
Smollett came out after appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2015. In a backstage interview with the talk show host, he said, “There is no closet. There’s never been a closet,” adding, “I don’t talk about my personal life, but that is in no way to deny or hide who God made me.”
He confirmed to Out magazine in 2016, “God, I’ve never had to talk about this, so I’m trying to find the words. 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, and I would hope that anybody would leave themselves open, not to gender, but to love.”
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Thursdays, 9/8c, Fox
