Jussie Smollett‘s authorized troubles are removed from over … but it surely appears as if he is working additional time to get his profession again on observe.

The troubled actor was seen reuniting with “Empire” showrunner Brett Mahoney … with the duo sharing a hug Thursday outdoors Crossroads Kitchen in Los Angeles.

The sighting triggered hypothesis of a attainable future collab … although any TV comeback is realistically a good distance off for Jussie as he offers along with his private and authorized worries.

Sources advised us simply earlier than Xmas … Jussie was nonetheless within the midst of a rehab stint for substance abuse … after checking himself into an outpatient facility in again in October.

He lately lost his appeal after being convicted for mendacity to cops in regards to the faux Chicago hate crime assault again in 2019.

Jussie’s attorneys say they will proceed their struggle within the Illinois Supreme Courtroom, though there is no assure the Courtroom will hear the case.

If the Courtroom turns thumbs down on listening to the case, Jussie might return to jail as quickly as January to finish his 150 day sentence … he is solely served 6 days.

Nonetheless, it appears like Jussie’s placing within the work on bettering himself … and was even noticed studying Matthew Perry‘s guide on his substance abuse battle earlier this month.