Jussie Smollett deserves an Oscar at this point — not for his acting on “Empire,” but for his unyielding commitment to playing the victim in his own life.

The disgraced actor desperately maintained his story that he was the victim of a hate crime in an interview with Variety published Aug. 13. It’s hard to establish what’s worse — his relentless dedication to his allegations or the fact that he thinks anyone is still listening.

Smollett keeps trying to convince the public he was the victim of a hate crime long after authorities alleged that he paid his “attackers” with a personal check and staged a hate crime hoax.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Jussie Smollett attends the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2025 in Partnership with Google Shopping on April 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Fashion Trust U.S.)

Even after he was convicted and later had the conviction overturned on a due process technicality and long after the cameras stopped rolling, Smollett has maintained this story — through police investigations, court proceedings and now this interview. His ability to keep it up deserves its own Emmy.

Jussie Smollett breaks silence on the 2019 controversy over staging a hate crime against himself:

“I can’t sit and tell you exactly, beat by beat, what happened. I can only tell you what did not happen. And what did not happen is the story that’s been out there for almost seven… pic.twitter.com/lyIgRcqwtF

— Variety (@Variety) August 13, 2025

Smollett doubled down with Variety. “Every single other person’s story has changed multiple times. Mine has never. I have nothing to gain from this,” he said.

“The villains are the two people who assaulted me, the Chicago Police Department and, if I may be so brave, the mayor,” he told the outlet, referring to former Democratic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

With a career that plummeted as quickly as his, it seems he has a lot to gain by even scoring an interview these days. His weak storytelling is no longer gripping the headlines, yet he continues to fall into a rhythmic repetition of his claims that seems to sooth his soul. (RELATED: Court Overturns Jussie Smollett Conviction)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 12: Actor Jussie Smollet attends the FOX 2014 Programming Presentation at the FOX Fanfront on May 12, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

Nothing demonstrates failure quite like an alleged paper trail to the people police said beat you up. Still, kudos to the guy for sticking to his “victim role” with such devotion, especially since it’s the only role he’s going to score.