Netflix‘s newest documentary, The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, takes audiences back to the 2019 hate crime case and its long-term ramifications. While the charges against Smollett were eventually dropped, the hoax has continued to live on through its reputation, giving the documentary a chance to reexamine both sides of the story.
Netflix’s documentary features key figures linked to the hoax, including the Osundairo brothers, two men involved in the criminal case surrounding Smollett. While Smollett continues to maintain his innocence, Ola and Bola “Abel” Osundairo also maintain their side of the story, and these past events haven’t stopped them from finding success in the intervening years.
Ola & Bola “Abel” Osundairo’s Role In The Jussie Smollett Hoax Explained
The Jussie Smollett hoax was a complex social and legal matter that still receives divided responses today, and Netflix’s documentary doesn’t claim to definitively resolve any remaining questions. However, the accepted facts of the case put the Osundairo brothers, Ola and Bola “Abel,” in a pivotal role, both in the alleged hate crime and at the trial.
On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed that he was attacked by two men who used racist and homophobic hate speech while pouring bleach on him and placing a noose around his neck. These men were later revealed to be the Osundairo brothers, who had worked as extras on Smollett’s TV series Empire.
Ola and Bola “Abel” Osundairo published a book about the events in 2023 titled Bigger Than Jussie: The Disturbing Need For A Modern-Day Lynching.
The inconsistencies in Smollett’s claims about the attack quickly came to light, including Smollett’s claim that he was attacked by white men, whereas the Osundairos are Black. After the brothers were tied to the event, they claimed that Smollett had paid them to stage the attack, which matched evidence that police had collected.
Their claims that Smollett’s attack was a hoax quickly changed the narrative surrounding the event, and their involvement in Smollett’s trial was crucial in the actor being found guilty of filing a false police report. While the conviction was later overturned for violating due process rights, the Osundairo brothers played a large role in bringing the truth to light.
What Happened To The Osundairo Brothers Since Jussie Smollett’s Trial & Overturned Conviction
The Osundairo brothers had been in the public eye prior to the trial thanks to their acting work, but Smollett’s trial quickly became what they are most known for. Following the initial charges against Smollett, the brothers filed a defamation suit against him. In the years since, both have remained vocal in their criticisms of the actor.
Despite Smollett’s initial felony charges, his conviction was overturned in November 2024.
Aside from their continued critiques of Smollett, the brothers have remained busy. Ola Osundairo has continued acting and is still active on social media. Bola Osundairo is likewise present on social media and runs a fitness program with his brother, along with transitioning into professional boxing (via Moviedelic).
Neither of the Osundairo brothers ever faced criminal charges for their involvement in the events and have maintained their version of the hoax, including in Netflix’s The Truth About Jussie Smollett? In short, their lives have continued to be successful, and they have even made the most of the critical fame they received for their involvement in the hoax.
Source: Moviedelic
