Empire star Jussie Smollett ‘didn’t pay Nigerian brothers $3,500 for fake attack’ - Sources claim

It has been claimed in a new report that Jussie Smollett ‘didn’t pay Nigerian brothers Ola and Abel Osundairo $3,500 to beat him up amid claims he staged the homophobic and racist attack. 

This comes after the Chicago Police Department alleged the Gay Empire actor paid the brothers $3,500 (£2,681) to beat him up in Chicago, before putting a noose around his neck and poured bleach on him in what he said was a homophobic and racist attack.

Now sources connected to the case has told TMZ that the 36-year-old actually gave the pair money to train him and get him in shape for an upcoming music video.

Read the TMZ report below.

The brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo made a deal with Jussie to train him for 5 weeks so he could get in shape for an upcoming music video. Jussie had said to Ola that he wanted abs like his. Both Abel and Ola agreed to train Jussie, and also give him a 5-week nutrition plan.

Our sources say Jussie told the brothers he would pay them for their services, but no specific amount was discussed.

A few days before the "attack," Jussie wrote the brothers a check for $3,500. The memo line read, "5 weeks training nutrition plan."

Our sources say Ola and Abel told the grand jury they were paid for the 5-week program and not for the "attack." One source connected with the brothers did say Ola and Abel felt the amount was "a little high" but no one ever specifically said anything about any of the money being part of a scheme. 

We've learned the brothers also told the grand jury that they had nothing to do with the threatening letter mailed to Jussie Smollett 8 days before the "attack."