The saga of Juicy Smollet, whom some might jokingly refer to as Juici Smurier, continues to be a bizarre highlight in the theater of American absurdity. A former star of the hit show Empire, Smollet became infamous in 2019 after he claimed to be the victim of a hate crime in Chicago during the polar vortex, complete with a Subway sandwich in hand. That’s right—a 2 a.m. craving for a cold cut trio turned into a national debate over race and hate. However, as the truth unfolded, it was revealed that the whole affair was nothing more than a dramatization, orchestrated by Smollet himself.
The very idea of a man, alone in the frigid streets of Chicago, craving a Subway sandwich at such an ungodly hour already raises eyebrows. After all, very few people would risk frostbite just for a taste of processed turkey in bread. But mixing in hostile Trump supporters wearing red MAGA hats, while shouting slurs, escalates this story from strange to farcical. The punchline is that the police discovered Smollet had allegedly hired two acquaintances to stage the whole incident. He then embraced this role with fervor, even keeping the noose around his neck when the authorities arrived—a move reminiscent of a dramatic stage performance rather than an actual victim’s reaction.
Fast forward to today, and Smollet is launching a comeback. He recently spoke to Variety, positing his innocence and insisting he remains the victim of a conspiracy, with him casting blame on the Chicago Police Department and even former mayor Rahm Emanuel. He proposes that in a bid to cover up the murder of Laquan McDonald, Emanuel orchestrated a scheme to divert attention by framing Smollet. This assertion is about as believable as claiming that squirrels in the park are secretly agents of a shadowy government.
During his latest press rounds, Smollet maintains that he never wavered from his original story, despite the vast evidence suggesting he fabricated the entire incident. According to him, all he’s done is hold true to his narrative, while uniquely focusing on his own alleged victimhood amidst a torrent of external accusations. His new leap into the public eye includes a documentary titled *The Truth About Juicy Smollet*, set to stream on Netflix. One can only imagine the marketing meeting behind this; “Let’s capitalize on being the center of a scandal rather than just another actor!”
As he embarks on his second act—directing, producing, and trying to sell an album—one can’t help but ponder the greater implications of this bizarre journey. Is this a genuine comeback, or is America simply enmeshed in its own love for scandal? If a former star can rise again from the ashes of controversy, what does that say about our society? Perhaps we need not just a racial reckoning over the nature of this spectacle, but a collective introspection on why we stay glued to the dramas cooked up by individuals who seemingly have no regard for the truth or the trust of their fellow citizens.
In the long run, the enduring question remains: can we truly call it a comeback if it’s built upon such shaky ground? While Smollet is indeed entitled to his story, the echoes of his past will likely shadow any new work. Maybe we haven’t just defeated racism but have instead swung to the other extreme—where fanciful fabrications can somehow go viral. Only time will tell how this all plays out, but until then, one does have to appreciate the sheer absurdity of it all, served up with a side of humor and layers of spectacle.
