Empire’ Jussie Smollett has come out saying that he has evidence that disputes claims that he paid two Nigerian brothers $3,500 to attack him.
On Sunday, TMZ reported that a check showing that amount and made payable from the “Empire” star’s account to one of the men, Abimbola Osundairo, also has “5 week Nutrition/Workout program (Don’t Go)” written in the memo line.
Police and prosecutors said the check, dated Jan. 23, is evidence that the 36-year-old paid Osundairo and his brother Olabinjo to carry out the hoax assault in Chicago six days later.
But sources told TMZ that the payment was really for training to help Smollett get into shape for a music video for his song, “Don’t Go.”
The 192-pound singer-songwriter wanted to lose 20 pounds for the video — because he was supposed to appear shirtless in it — so he hired Abimbola, a jacked bodybuilder whom he knew from the gym and called “Bon.”
Other evidence weighing in Smollett’s favor are a series of texts been him and “Bon” beginning on Jan. 20, which outlined a healthy meal plan including chicken thigh, Starkist tuna, eggs and Smucker’s peanut butter and various fruit.
“This is the meal plan and the breakdown of macronutrients. Also includes projected fat loss,” Abimbola texted Smollett.
Another one, dated Jan. 28 — hours before the attack, the gym buff wrote to Smollett, “I know you’re traveling today, make sure you get at least 45 mins of cardio.”
The $3,500 total check accounted for $600-a-week for five weeks of the workout plan and $100-a-week for the food plan, also for five weeks, sources told TMZ.
Another text seems to show that “Don’t Go” was slated to film on Feb. 23. Meanwhile, a screenshot from Venmo shows Smollett had paid “Bola” $100 on Sept. 27 for “training” — potentially giving credence to the actor’s claims that the $3,500 wasn’t related to the Jan. 29 “attack.”
Both brothers testified before a grand jury that the payment was for training.
Smollett is charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report.
He is free after posting 10 percent of $100,000 bond.