Few couples have endured more “trouble in paradise” rumors than A-list superstars Will Smith and Jada Pickett Smith. But somehow their marriage always prevails, and it has for 16 years, which is a long time by show business standards.
But recently one of the tabloids ran a series of pictures (which you may have seen or heard about) of Smith — in a photo booth of all places! — with a young actress named Margot Robbie who is features in his upcoming movie, “Focus,” a comedy about a con artist.
They could easily be incriminating, even though he is famous for being playful.
Smith has no shirt on and at one point Robbie has her top pulled up (but wearing an undergarment) and at another Smith appears to be getting ready to put his finger in her mouth!
Jada Pinkett Smith is known for being a little fireball and no wife would appreciate pictures like that.
But to clarify a previous statement that implied that her husband had carte blanche, Smith said, “Will and I both can do whatever we want because we trust each other to do so. This does not mean we have an open relationship. It means we have a grown one.”
Well, I guess she told us!
SPIKE LEE, who still fits the “maverick filmmaker” label that he established early on, was asked recently by a national publication why “Hollywood still has difficulty telling Black stories on a regular basis.”
“It’s very simple,” said Lee. “Which person of color at a studio has a green light vote? I’m talking about somebody who has a studio position, or network position, that has a green light vote. Who are the gatekeepers?”
Speaking of movies, I have heard so many great things about “12 Years a Slave,” including the Oscar worthy performance by Nigeria-born actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. However, count yours truly in among those who doesn’t want to see any additional movies and miniseries with a focus on slavery. For me, the genre peaked with “Roots.”
Prince has a talent that hardly anyone knows anything about, and it has nothing to do with music. He is a good basketball player, despite his height. He played in school.
ARSENIO HALL had a great first week with his new late-night TV show, but according to widely published reports, ratings have seriously slipped, by 40 percent, since that first week.
Hall is as likable as before and he’s had good guests, but the skits have not always been up to par and he makes too many jokes with racial foundations.
But for Hall the show is not as much fun now because there is so much micromanaging going on, with every joke, every comment scrutinized.
Also, as he put it, “The toughest part of doing the show is realizing that the word ‘business’ is larger than the world ‘show.’”
So many artists would love to have the fanbase of Detroit’s own Eminem. His new album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2” debuted at No. 1 on the national charts and sold a whopping 792, 000 copies in one week.
Which brings to mind the fact that gangsta rapper DMX (real name: Earl Simmons) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but a judge in White Plains, New York, said no because DMX — who owes $1.3 million in child support alone! — had not produced “trustworthy information.”
I watched Corbin Bleu do a jazz number, most of which he choreographed, on “Dancing With The Stars” last week that was awesome. He, partner Karina Smirnoff and guest Witney Carson created magic. Bleu and Smirnoff should win (or maybe Amber Riley and Derek Hough).
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that when Diana Ross was envisioning her career as a girl, the thought of not making it in show business never even entered her mind.
MEMORIES: “I’ll Be Good to You” (the Brothers Johnson), “17” (Rick James), “Native New Yorker” (Odyssey), “Hollywood Swinging” (Kool & the Gang), “These Things Will Keep Me Loving You” (the Velvelettes), “Caribbean Queen (No Move Love on the Run)” (Billy Ocean), “Sherry” (the Four Seasons), “Looking For a New Love” (Jody Watley), “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” (Lou Rawls).
BLESSINGS to Keena Green, Stephanie Washington, Alex Alexander, Keith Washington, Denise Stevenson Cash, Wayne Dixon, Kathleen Holsey, Jay Michael McKay and Anthony Neely.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Keith Sweat: “If you fall, get back up. That’s what life is about.”
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
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