Jussie Smollett on “The Lost Holliday” and How He Wouldn't 'Be Here' Without Friends Like Taraji P. Henson (Exclusive)

The actor also tells PEOPLE about the "fearless" support he's gotten from his aunt and costar Vivica A. Fox, and why the film "would not have gotten made" without her

Jussie Smollett is back at the box office with The Lost Holliday, but he couldn't have done it without those who love him the most.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Empire alum, 42, opens up about the support he's received for his latest directorial effort and how he's relied on the help of his friends and family for support in the aftermath of his alleged 2019 hate crime hoax.

On Friday, Sept. 27, Smollett's sophomore directorial effort, The Lost Holliday, hit select theaters across the U.S. In the movie, the actor also stars as Jason, a character who becomes a single father to his adopted daughter when his partner Damien (Jabari Redd) is tragically killed. The film also stars Smollett's aunt Vivica A. Fox as Cassandra, Damien's estranged mother, who travels to Los Angeles to plan the funeral of her son.

Related: Vivica A. Fox Reveals 60th Birthday Plans and New Project with Empire Costar Jussie Smollett (Exclusive)

"I don't know that I was surprised, but I am so grateful," Smollett says of the movie's reception. "I'm a very grateful person and I'm happy to still physically be here and I don't take it lightly. The response has been... I don't even know what the word would be. It's just great. It's just been wonderful to see."

Though The Lost Holliday deals with "heavier subjects" such as losing loved ones, adoption and family estrangement, Smollett says the movie "finds joy."

"It's such a hopeful film," he explains. "I think that's what I really get from this film for my own life, is that it's so hopeful. It so, 'Well, what is the next day going to be like? What is tomorrow going to bring me?' It could bring something great, it could bring you something not so great, but it's about what you do with [it]."

As a gay Black man, Smollett included "elements of the LGBTQIA community," noting "everyone can identify with this film" as it tells a universal story of love, grief and hope.

He continues, "The reception has been phenomenal, and it only further proves what my whole mission has always been, and that is to just show how much more alike we are than not."

In March 2019, Smollett was originally indicted with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report, claiming that, while on his way home from a Subway sandwich shop in Chicago, two men attacked him late at night. He was found guilty on five counts in 2022, but maintains his innocence as he continues to fight for an appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Despite his ongoing legal battles, Smollett tells PEOPLE of how he's been able to come out the other side and pursue projects like The Lost Holliday thanks to the support of his friends and family members.

He says the sense of comfort and public backing he's received from family like Fox and his sister Jurnee Smollett and friends like Empire costar, Taraji P. Henson, has been crucial despite the "painful" nature of his allegations.

"As my friends and family, protect and defend me, I find myself wanting to protect and defend them, he says, adding how it's "not always easy" to go against what "the most believed narrative might be."

"I see what they've done and I see how they've done it fearlessly," Smollett continues. "But also, I want to protect them, and I want to make sure that they are okay and safe. It's been tough. It's been rough. I would be lying if I said that it's been some walk in the park. This has been hard."

Related: Jurnee Smollett Shows Support for Brother Jussie After 150-Day Jail Sentence: 'Jussie Is Innocent'

Over the years, the actor says that many people have "continuously" checked and lent their support, though he feels reluctant to share their names given the circumstances.

However, there are certain individuals in his life that have acted as "sort of my North star."

"Vivica is one of them," Smollett says, smiling.

"She was fearless in her support and her understanding and love for the project, for The Lost Holliday and for the character of Cassandra," he continues. "This film would not have gotten made had it not been for Vivica stepping in."

Related: Taraji P. Henson Shows Support for 'Empire' Costar Jussie Smollett, Cites Emmett Till: 'Free Jussie'

Another one of those supporters have been Henson, who Smollett says has "been there for me from day one." He says the Oscar nominee, 54, has always made sure to ask if there's anything he needs and offers to host him in her home.

"[She says], 'Come and spend some time with me,' " he adds. "That's family stuff. That's so much more than a costar or a coworker. She truly is my sister."

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"Taraji has just been like my heart. She's one of my favorite people," he continues. "I genuinely love her. She's one of my favorite people and just the kindest heart, the most genuine soul. She'll be the first one to be like, 'Keep right, stay right with your spirit. Stay right with your spirit.' And she's right. I love that woman."

Smollett says that his "village" has meant "everything" to him during challenging times. When the world made him "feel like you have no value, and you are unworthy of love," he says his support system stepped in and reminded him that he was, in fact, loved.

"That's very healing. I think that these last six years [I've been] so afraid of not feeling like me again," he continues. "And I have, and that I know is because of my family."

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