Who Is Jussie Smollett Dating?

The Short Answer: Who Is Jussie Smollett Dating?

Jussie Smollett is reportedly dating Karamo Brown. The former Empire star and the Queer Eye culture expert were spotted looking cozy on June 29, 2026, in photos published by TMZ, and Brown later confirmed the relationship on a podcast.

Smollett, born June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California, became a star as Jamal Lyon on Fox's Empire (2015-2019). He came out as gay in a 2015 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, becoming one of the most prominent out Black actors on television.

The Brown romance followed the end of Smollett's engagement to Jabari Redd, which concluded in June 2026. The whirlwind from broken engagement to new relationship made headlines across entertainment media.

Who Is Karamo Brown?

Karamo Brown, born November 2, 1980, is best known as the culture expert on Netflix's Queer Eye reboot, where his empathetic, emotionally intelligent guidance made him a fan favorite. Before that, he appeared on The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004.

Brown is a father of two sons from a previous relationship and has been open about his own journey with identity, fatherhood, and mental health. He was previously engaged to director Ian Jordan, though that relationship ended.

His pairing with Smollett united two of the most visible Black gay men in entertainment, and their public outings in mid-2026 drew warm reactions from fans and LGBTQ media.

Spotted Together: June 2026

On June 29, 2026, TMZ published photos of Smollett and Brown looking affectionate during a night out, sparking immediate dating speculation. Days later, Just Jared reported the pair linking arms during a Sunday date night on July 27, 2026.

Brown subsequently confirmed the relationship on a podcast appearance, speaking warmly about Smollett. Entertainment outlets including EntertainmentNow covered the confirmation, noting the couple's evident happiness.

The public confirmation was notable for Smollett, who had kept his romantic life relatively private in recent years amid ongoing legal controversies. Going public with Brown signaled a new chapter.

The Jabari Redd Engagement

Before Brown, Smollett was engaged to Jabari Redd, a singer and songwriter. The couple's engagement was known in entertainment circles, though they kept details largely private.

The engagement ended in June 2026, just as the Brown rumors began. The timing suggested an overlap or a swift transition, though neither Smollett nor Redd publicly detailed the breakup.

Redd has remained out of the spotlight since the split, while Smollett moved forward publicly with Brown. The end of the engagement closed a significant chapter in Smollett's personal life.

The Legal Controversy Backdrop

Smollett's personal life has unfolded against the backdrop of his infamous 2019 legal case, in which he was accused of staging a hate crime against himself in Chicago. He was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2021, a conviction later overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2024 on procedural grounds.

The case made Smollett one of the most controversial figures in entertainment, costing him his role on Empire and much of his mainstream career. He has maintained his innocence throughout.

His relationship news in 2026 arrived as he continued attempts at a career comeback, with the romance offering a rare positive headline in years of difficult coverage.

Career: From Empire to Now

Smollett's breakthrough as Jamal Lyon on Empire made him a star and a cultural figure: a gay Black musician character played by an out gay Black actor, in a first for network television. His performances earned critical acclaim and NAACP Image Award recognition.

He comes from a performing family: his siblings Jurnee, Jake, Jojo, Jazz, and Jocqui Smollett are all actors. He began as a child actor in the 1990s, appearing in The Mighty Ducks and the sitcom On Our Own.

Since Empire, his career has been limited, though he directed and starred in the 2021 film B-Boy Blues. His personal happiness with Brown, fans hope, might herald a professional second act.

Jussie and Karamo Now

As of late 2026, Smollett and Brown appear to be going strong, with public outings and Brown's podcast confirmation signaling a serious relationship. At 44 and 45 respectively, both men bring life experience to the romance.

For Smollett, the relationship represents a bright spot after years of controversy: a public, happy partnership with a respected figure in the LGBTQ community.

Whether it lasts, only time will tell, but for now, Jussie Smollett is dating Karamo Brown, and both seem delighted about it.

Music Career and Empire Songs

On Empire, Jussie Smollett's Jamal Lyon was the show's soulful heart, and Smollett's real musical talent shone through. His performances of songs like "You're So Beautiful" were genuine highlights, showcasing a voice trained since childhood.

He released music independently, including the album Sum of My Music (2018), blending R&B, soul, and pop with personal lyrics.

His musicality was evident long before Empire: the Smollett siblings performed together as children, and Jussie sang on On Our Own back in the 90s.

Music remains his most uncomplicated gift, a talent untouched by controversy.

The Smollett Family

Jussie comes from the remarkable Smollett family: siblings Jurnee, Jake, Jojo, Jazz, and Jocqui, most of them entertainers. The family's closeness is legendary in Hollywood.

Sister Jurnee Smollett is an acclaimed actress (Lovecraft Country, Birds of Prey), and the siblings have supported each other through triumphs and trials.

Through Jussie's legal battles, the family stood united, attending court and speaking publicly in his defense.

Dating Karamo Brown since mid-2026, Smollett is rebuilding his life with family support and new love.

The Road Back

Since his legal battles, Jussie Smollett has been rebuilding his career slowly and deliberately. Independent films, stage work, and music have marked his return to performing.

His directorial debut, B-Boy Blues, showcased his behind-the-camera talents, earning festival attention and proving his artistry extends beyond acting.

The entertainment industry's response has been cautious: some doors remain closed, but others have opened, particularly in independent and Black-led productions.

His relationship with Karamo Brown, spotted together in mid-2026, suggests personal healing alongside professional rebuilding.

Smollett's talent was never in question; his judgment was. The road back requires both art and accountability.

At 44, his story is unfinished, a cautionary tale that might yet become a comeback story.

The Smollett family's support has been unwavering, their bond his foundation.

Karamo Brown: The New Chapter

Jussie Smollett's 2026 relationship with Karamo Brown, the Queer Eye star, marks a new chapter in his personal life. Spotted together in June 2026, the pair's chemistry was evident.

Brown, known for his culture expertise on Queer Eye and his own journey as a gay Black man, shares Smollett's values of authenticity and advocacy.

The relationship, still new, represents healing for Smollett: love after controversy, connection after isolation.

Friends describe both men as being in good places, their bond built on mutual respect and shared experience.

For Smollett, whose 2019 engagement to Jabari Redd ended amid his legal turmoil, this romance is a fresh start.

At 44, rebuilding his life and career, love with Karamo Brown is a bright spot.

The Smollett family's support extends to the new relationship, their closeness his constant.

Stage Roots and Early Career

Before Empire, Jussie Smollett was a child actor, appearing in The Mighty Ducks and the sitcom On Our Own with his siblings. His entertainment roots run deep.

He took a hiatus from acting as a young adult, working behind the scenes before his Empire audition changed everything. His Jamal Lyon, soulful and complex, made him a star.

His stage work, including B-Boy Blues as director, showcases his range beyond the screen.

At 44, his talent remains his truest asset, the foundation for whatever comes next.

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