Out with the old, in with the new for Jussie Smollett‘s dating life!

The actor soft-launched his latest romance with media personality Karamo Brown, just a few weeks after breaking up his engagement to actor and producer Jabari Redd to focus on his career after nearly three years together.

Jussie Smollett and his ex-fiancé got together after co-starring on “The Lost Holliday” in 2024, which was also directed by the actor. Original proposal pictures from the failed engagement have since been scrubbed off social media.

Jussie Smollett And His New Beau Turn Heads During PDA-Filled Date

The duo was spotted on Monday, June 29, enjoying an all-day date filled with several activities, including lunch with Brown’s mother, running errands, and taking a hike through Runyon Canyon. Smollett and the TV personality appeared very calm and comfortable in each other’s company as they went about their day.

The actor could not keep his hands off Brown as he was spotted playfully cupping his chin in a playful display that did not help douse the flaming fires of rumors that there is more to their friendship. 

While Smollett is fresh out of his relationship with Redd, Brown’s most notable romance includes a decade-long engagement to director Ian Jordan and another romantic episode with photographer Carlos Medel until their split in early 2025.

As noted by TMZ, Smollett and Redd reportedly went their separate ways very amicably with lots of mutual respect.

The Musician’s Fresh Romance Caps Eventful Stretch Of Personal Changes

Smollett proposed to Jabari Redd last June and shared images of him popping the question while getting down on one knee on his social media. As stated by Complex, the actor was excited to tell everyone he would be spending his birthday with his now ex after he agreed to marry him.

In recent years, Smollett has slowly bounced back into the news following the widely publicized incident in 2019 where he claimed to be a victim of a hate crime in Chicago. Prosecutors later alleged he had orchestrated the incident by paying two brothers to stage the attack, allegations Smollett has consistently denied.

In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his hate crime-related conviction, finding that his rights had been violated during the prosecution. In the resolution, Smollett agrees to contribute $50,000 to a charity in Chicago.

In addition to his special gift of interpreting roles on TV screens, Smollett also honed his musical skills, and in 2018, he released his first R&B record, “Sum of My Music,” on his own independent label, “Music of Sound”.

Karamo Brown Had Marriage On His Mind While Dating Ex, Carlos Medel

Prior to reports linking him to Smollett, the iconic TV personality, who was the first openly gay Black man to be cast on MTV’s “The Real World,” had plans towards permanence with Medel.

Brown, during an interview with Page Six, expressed a sense of urgency about his biological clock, stressing the need to take things further romantically. However, he clarified that he was not trying to put pressure on Medel.

As for his ten-year-old relationship with Jordan, Brown explained that they decided to call off their engagement during the pandemic because they both realized some issues would not go away in their relationship. 

In the media personality’s words: “We were supposed to get married, and the pandemic made us realize that there are some things we need to work on, and we weren’t able to work them out, and I was willing to, but it just didn’t work.”

He explained that things have moved in the right direction in his new relationship and those issues he had had become a thing of the past.

The ‘Empire’ Actor And His Ex Kept Their Romance Under Wraps

Smollett and Redd kept their relationship private before their engagement was called off. While promoting “The Lost Holiday” in September 2024 on “Way Up with Angela Yee,” both actors were asked about their dating lives. 

Without revealing they were together, Redd said he was happily in love and no longer single, adding that he had been in the relationship for about a year. As noted by PEOPLE, Smollett echoed the sentiment, sharing that he, too, was unavailable and deeply in love.

Their romance later became public when Smollett proposed during a trip to Florence, Italy. The surprise proposal happened on the sidewalk, and Redd was visibly emotional when Smollett placed a diamond ring on his finger. 

Smollett’s family responded with a warm reception to the engagement. His younger sister, Jurnee Smollett, said she was overwhelmed with happiness and welcomed Redd into the family. His sister, Jazz Smollett, also congratulated the couple, wishing them love and blessings in their relationship.

Jussie Smollett’s Ex Claimed Working With Him Felt Like A Safe Space

Redd was no stranger to the entertainment world before making headlines with Smollett. He was born and raised in Westbury, NY, where he excelled both on the field in football and track, and with three brothers. 

The producer began his athletic career at Hampton University, then transferred to Morehouse College, where he majored in kinesiology. Redd admitted in an interview that he actually wanted to be a doctor, but discovered that acting was his calling and decided to pursue a career in entertainment instead.

In addition to being in the spotlight with his own band, Redd was behind the scenes in the music industry for Soulja Boy’s videos. He was also part of the production team for Lil Wayne’s Young Money Uproar Hip Hop Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2021. 

The creative began acting in 2012 and was praised for his performance as D.C. in the 2021 film “B-Boy Blues” written and directed by Smollett.

Redd also went on to make five appearances on “The Chi,” and while speaking to Gaye Magazine during a screening of “The Lost Holliday” in 2024, he praised Smollett for the environment where he felt safe creatively.

Congratulations, Jussie Smollett and Karamo Brown!