"Empire" star Jussie Smollett is engaged to his partner, Jabari Redd. The 43-year-old actor proposed to Redd on June 20, 2025, just ahead of his birthday, and shared the sweet moment on Instagram ¹ ².
The Proposal
Jussie Smollett got down on one knee outside a restaurant near Hard Rock Cafe, surprising Jabari Redd with a heartfelt proposal. The couple shared photos from the special moment, showcasing Smollett's emotional proposal and Redd's joyful reaction. The photos include ² ¹:
- *The Proposal Moment*: Smollett bending down on one knee with a ring
- *Redd's Reaction*: A surprised and happy expression on Redd's face
- *The Ring*: A close-up of the engagement ring on Redd's finger
- *Celebration*: The couple celebrating with champagne and laughter
Congratulations from Family and Friends
Smollett's sisters, Jurnee and Jazz, flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages. Jurnee wrote, "Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd." Jazz added, "Yaaaass!!! Welcome to the family Jabari!!! Love y’all!! Sooooo happy for you both!" Their "Empire" co-star Taraji P. Henson also chimed in with "My babies" ¹ ² ³.
About Jabari Redd
Jabari Redd is an award-winning, multifaceted artist born in Long Island, New York. He has made notable contributions to Showtime's hit show "The Chi" and the film "B-Boy Blues," which earned him a GLAAD nomination. Redd has also worked as a producer for music videos and has been part of Lil Wayne's producing team ⁴.
A New Chapter
This engagement marks a significant milestone for Smollett, who has been in the spotlight for both his acting career and his past legal challenges. The couple's love story began when they co-starred in the 2024 drama "The Lost Holliday," which Smollett also co-wrote and directed ³.
