Oh, so Is This What Sparked Jussie Smollett to Allegedly Orchestrate His Own Hate Crime?

You’ve got to be kidding me? This is why actor Jussie Smollett reportedly staged his own hate crime. Apparently, Smollett was the recipient of a racist letter containing a white powder, later determined to be aspirin, on January 22 that didn’t get enough attention. So, he reportedly orchestrated his own assault in sub-zero temperatures that was executed on January 29. He allegedly hired two Nigerian brothers to do it. They bought the rope that was tied around his neck (allegedly). They even held rehearsals…allegedly. But seriously, this reportedly was over a letter?

Via Daily Beast:

Empire” actor Jussie Smollett reportedly staged an attack against himself in late January after a “racist” letter sent to the TV show’s studio, which contained a white powder, did not get a “bigger reaction,” according to a local Chicago news station.

A source told CBS Chicago the actor allegedly “concocted” the “staged” Jan. 29 attack and paid his “acquaintances”—brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo—over $3,000 to carry it out.

Smollett reportedly opened the letter on Jan. 22 at Chicago’s Cinespace Studios, and the white powder prompted a HAZMAT team to respond. Chicago Police Department told the news station that the substance turned out to be asprin. Cinespace Studios would not comment to The Daily Beast about the incident. Fox, “Empire’s” network, also declined to provide comment or confirmation.

NEW: A law enforcement official briefed on Smollett investigation tells @ABC during interrogations, police were told by the two brothers Smollett was upset a threatening letter sent to Empire’s Chicago studio on January 22 did not get enough attention. 1/2

— Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) February 18, 2019

“The brothers said Jussie chose the spot because he believed a camera would have captured the action. … What he didn’t know was the camera faced the other direction.” https://t.co/4QW62wy3D0

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) February 19, 2019