Jussie Smollett plays Santa Claus as he organizes a toy drive and donates money to school kids on Christmas
Jussie Smollett decided to celebrate Christmas by spreading a little cheer to children. The actor and singer, who starred in the TV series 'Empire' and the 2017 film 'Alien: Covenant', reportedly donated money and helped organize a toy drive.
According to a TMZ report, sources said that the actor recently paid a surprise visit to Flint, Michigan with youth and environmental activist, Mari Copeny aka Little Miss Flint, and together they helped surprise a school with new backpacks and toys. The report also states that Jussie donated $10,000 to the Flint KIDS program. The singer's hefty donation comes as a surprise, considering he has been out of work for almost a year now.
Nevertheless, the singer, who is embroiled in a case for paying two Nigerian-American brothers to stage a fake hate crime assault on him and filing a false police report, seems to have touched hearts with his thoughtful deed and it could also help improve his public image.
Smollett might soon make a comeback to the hit show, 'Empire.' In a TVLine interview, showrunner Brett Mahoney hinted on discussions to bring the controversial former cast member. “It would be weird in my mind to end this family show and this family drama of which he was such a significant part of without seeing him,” Mahoney said. “It’s fair to say it’s being discussed, but there’s no plan as of yet to bring him back. There’s been no decision made.”
The actor played the role of Jamal Lyon, a talented gay singer-songwriter who despises the corporate aspect of the music industry. His role was chopped off in the final episodes of the fifth season following his legal scandal. However, now that the show is being renewed for its final season, Smollett’s contract has been allegedly extended but there is no official confirmation on his comeback.
This is not the first time Smollett performed a generous act. Last year, he donated $125,000 to various charities ahead of the holidays, including Flint KIDS and the Black AIDS Institute.
