Jussie Smollett Engaged to Boyfriend Jabari Redd (PHOTOS)

Love is love — and in Jussie Smollett’s case, it comes with a surprise birthday proposal and a whole lot of Pride Month joy.

The Empire star announced on social media that he's engaged to boyfriend Jabari Redd, sharing the happy news just ahead of his 43rd birthday and in the heart of Pride Month.

In an Instagram post on Friday (June 20), Smollett shared a series of photos capturing the romantic moment he got down on one knee.

"I’ll be spending my birthday with my fiancé… He said YES," he wrote, ahead of turning 43 on Saturday, June 21.

Redd’s shocked (and very smiley) reaction says it all — they’re getting married!

The proposal quickly turned into a family celebration. Smollett’s sister Jurnee gushed in the comments: "Screaming with tears of joy! My whole heart loves both of you @jussiesmollett. Welcome to the family @jabariredd."

His other sister Jazz added, "I was WAITINGGGGGG!!!!!! Congratulations you 2. I pray blessings cover you as you've covered each other."

While the couple has kept things mostly low-key, they recently co-starred in the indie film The Lost Holliday, where on-screen chemistry clearly turned into real-life romance.

Watch the Trailer for 'The Lost Holliday'

Smollett’s engagement comes after a turbulent few years in the public eye.

The actor faced national scrutiny following a 2019 hate crime case, in which prosecutors alleged he staged an attack to gain media attention, even paying $3,500 to brothers Abimbola “Bola” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo to carry it out.

Smollett maintained his innocence throughout the legal battle. His conviction was ultimately overturned in 2024, and earlier this year, he settled with the city of Chicago by quietly donating $50,000 to charity.

This engagement isn’t just a personal milestone — it’s a full-circle moment for someone who’s long used his platform to champion LGBTQ+ visibility and self-love in Hollywood.