Da'Jae Allen 
Jussie Smollett, a well established actor, writer, producer, director, musician, and recording artist, best known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the 2015 hit TV series “Empire,” took the time to visit True Star Media’s Out West location at the BBF center (Building Brighter Futures). While there, he was a special guest on the “Lifin” podcast, where hosts Dereon Pyles and Kayliah Motes, interviewed Smollett about the importance of owning your creativity.
Throughout the interview, Smollett continued to circle back to one concept: Ownership. He shared that there is a “necessity in learning the business and ownership side” of working in the arts. “Hone your craft,” he said, “but also, in the process, really learn the business side of that because ownership is so important.”
Smollett, who began his career at the age of 4 as a child model before going on to work on TV shows and movies, also warns against focusing on the wrong things that come with being an artist or a creative. Getting into acting or art for fame and riches, isn’t guaranteed and can make you lose sight of building yourself. “A job is something some can give you and take it away. But a career is something that they can’t.” Smollett is encouraging young creatives to make sure that they can always fall back on themselves. He wants youth to put in the hard work and dedication so that their foundation is strong, leaving them able to support themselves in the face of hardships.
When asked about how his idea of success has shifted throughout his career, he again focused on owning your art and working within your circle and community. “My idea of success has just been further grounded in the fact of ownership. […] We gotta get out there, we got to create ourselves. We have to create with ourselves. We have to create for ourselves. Not aiming to be around or work with the most popular person at the time, but instead pulling from the people that you know want to do the same thing as you.”
Smollett went on to mention the spirit of collaboration here in the Chi. “There’s something about Chicago that believes in community that I don’t know that a lot of other metropolitan cities really get.”
So, young people here in Chi-town reading this, get active! Use the resources that are available to you. Work on yourself and share your craft. And as Jussie Smollett encouraged, “Pull everyone together and create something that is phenomenal.”
Watch the full interview below.
By Da’Jae Allen, Junior, Howard University
Instagram: @dajae.10
True Star Media’s content is made possible thanks to donors like you. By donating at truestarmedia.org/donate you are helping to empower young creators and transform lives.
