Disgraced Empire star Jussie Smollett is seemingly attempting a comeback, and not everyone is here for it.
Many viewers of the 2022 BET Awards roasted the actor for his appearance on the star-studded award show.
The 40-year-old actor made his official return to the red carpet Sunday at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater.
This is his first event since serving only six days of his 150-day sentence for charges related to staging a hate crime.
Black Twitter roast Jussie Smollett for BET Awards appearance
Viewers of Sunday night’s BET Awards were stunned that Smollet, who was convicted of staging a hate crime only months ago, made a red carpet appearance.
“Who let Jussie Smollet into the #BETAwards? This ni**a faked a hate crime and blamed white people for it, and got a slap on the wrist. If you got money, regardless of race, you have privilege,” a person wrote on Twitter.
Some observers had a different take on Smollett’s legal drama.
“Unpopular opinion… I think. Watching Jussie Smollett on the BET red carpet… I’m glad a black man beat the system ? #BETAwards.” Another person added.
However, most of the negative comments about Jussie’s comeback were from Black Twitter.
“Black Twitter when Jussie Smollett shows up on the red carpet at the BET awards #BETAwards,” a viewer wrote with a meme of Rapper Tony Yayo looking sideways.
“Jussie Smollett at the red carpet: #BETAwards,” a tweet reads, adding a SpongeBob SquarePants video in which Squidward walks into a hostile audience.
“my black twitter fam seeing Jussie Smollett at the #BETAwards,” a Twitter user wrote in reaction to Smollet’s appearance featuring a meme of a man looking disgusted.
A BET viewer compared Smollett to O.J Simpson seemingly in regard to his infamy.
“Jussie Smollett out here like he ain’t lied has me screaming ?. It’s kind of iconic when you think of it. He’s like the new O.J.”
Another drew Smollet’s controversy to that of rapper Boosie Badazzz.
“Soooooo, Jussie Smollett is forgiven just like that huh But y’all can’t forgive Boosie tho.”
Another Twitter fan mocked Jussie’s attempt to return to the Black community.
“Not Jussie smollet trying to get this black card reinstated #BETAwards #redcarpet,” the person joked.
Jussie Smollett announces directorial debut amid comeback
Smollett revealed to The Shade Room that it is set to direct the movie B-Boy Blues, which is an adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel of the same name.
It premiered on June 9 on the streaming platform BET+ although it was officially released last year. It’s the actor’s feature directorial debut after he went behind the camera for two episodes of Empire.
In an interview with Sway Calloway’s SiriusXM show, Sway in the Morning last week, Smollett maintained his innocence and is currently appealing his conviction.