Jada Pinkett Smith’s recent press interviews have pop culture media in a chokehold right now. A lot of that revolves around her relationship status with Will Smith, the infamous Oscars slap to Chris Rock, and her bond with Tupac Shakur. However, a recent confession from the actress has fans very intrigued, especially with the added context of the Smith family’s dynamic. Apparently, she was very surprised that the Fresh Prince called her his “wife” during his rant against Rock at the ceremony. While speaking to NBC‘s Hoda Kotb, the Baltimore native revealed why it was such a shocking moment to her.
“I did that eye-roll [in response to Chris Rock’s joke about her alopecia at the Oscars] not so much for me,” Jada Pinkett Smith remarked. “And I think this is really important. But [rather] the fact that there could be a jab at alopecia.” Then, she went into detail about her reaction to Will Smith’s defense of her. “What is going on? Now, first of all, I’m really shocked. ‘Cause, mind you, I’m not there. We haven’t called each other husband or wife in a long time.
Jada Pinkett Smith Revisits Her Shock At Will Smith Calling Her His “Wife”
“I’m like, ‘What is going on right now?’” Jada Pinkett Smith continued. “‘Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth,’ right? And now I’m really worried for Will, because I don’t know what’s going on.” Another recent piece of info to emerge from this press onslaught is that the talk show host thought that the whole thing was a skit. Of course, it didn’t take long for her and the rest of the world to find out that it wasn’t. Still, this gave an oddly reconciliatory context to an event that many thought was out of line.
As such, now the fact that Will and Jada were living separately gives a whole new angle to view “The Slap” from. It’s unclear, though, how the actor feels about all this dirty laundry emerging when it comes to his relationships. We’ll have to wait and see if there are multiple sides to this story. For more news and the latest updates on Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, check back in with HNHH.
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are bringing both of their fans to theaters this year as the two stars gear up to release concert films tied to their massive respective tours. (Bey for the Renaissance Tour; Swift for The Eras Tour.) Given both artists have also been nominated for their past work at the Oscars, fans might be wondering if their films will be considered for nominations. Here’s what to know.
Can Beyoncé and Taylor Swift’s concert films be nominated at the Oscars?
Unfortunately, neither film will be eligible under the current Oscars guidelines to be nominated as a documentary feature, according to Variety. The rules state that this is because: “Works that are essentially promotional or instructional are not eligible, nor are works that are essentially unfiltered records of performances.”
The publication also noted that Beyoncé and Swift missed the October 2 deadline that would have been required for consideration.
While they might not be getting a nod at the Oscars, fans could still see their faves getting acknowledgment at the Grammys in 2025 — when it comes to the Best Music Film category. It is still quite a long time away based on the current eligibility period.
Swift’s Eras Tour movie opens on October 13, later this week. Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour concert film will follow, airing in theaters on December 1.
Morgan Freeman, synonymous with Hollywood royalty, has been gracing our screens for decades. As of 2023, this iconic actor’s net worth stands at an impressive $250 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. But how did Freeman amass such wealth, and what has been his journey in the entertainment industry? Let’s delve deeper.
Born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, Morgan Freeman’s journey to stardom began humbly. He was the youngest of five siblings and spent his early years with his maternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. After her passing, he relocated to Chicago to be with his mother. During these formative years, Freeman caught the acting bug, starring in a school play at the tender age of nine.
From Military Service To Hollywood
After graduating from Broad Street High School in 1955, Freeman enlisted in the United States Air Force. His post-military life saw him moving to Los Angeles, where he honed his acting skills at the Pasadena Playhouse. To sustain himself, he took up a job as a transcript clerk at Los Angeles City College. Simultaneously, he explored the vibrant theater scenes of New York City and San Francisco.
Rise To Stardom
Freeman’s big break came in the mid-1960s with off-Broadway productions, followed by a significant role in an all-Black Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968. His film debut was in 1971 with Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow! However, his role as Red in The Shawshank Redemption in 1994 catapulted him to A-list fame. This was followed by a series of blockbuster hits, including Seven, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Deep Impact, and Unforgiven.
In 2005, Freeman’s dedication to his craft was recognized when he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Million Dollar Baby. His versatility as an actor is evident in his diverse roles, from playing God in Bruce Almighty to portraying Nelson Mandela in Invictus. Beyond acting, Freeman has showcased his skills as a director, starting with Bopha! in 1993. His distinctive, resonant voice has also made him a sought-after narrator, lending his voice to documentaries like March of the Penguins and shows like Through the Wormhole.
Personal Struggles & Triumphs
Freeman’s life hasn’t been without challenges. In 2008, he survived a severe car accident, which left him with lasting injuries. He also faced allegations of sexual harassment in 2018, to which he responded with an apology. On the brighter side, he has been active in relief efforts, notably for Hurricane Katrina victims. In a testament to his love for nature, he converted his 124-acre farm in Mississippi into a bee sanctuary in 2019.
While Freeman’s net worth in 2023 is $250 million, it’s worth noting that he had to part with a significant amount in his divorce settlement with Myrna Colley-Lee in 2010. The settlement ranged between $100 to $200 million, a testament to his substantial earnings and assets.
Conclusion
Morgan Freeman’s journey from a young boy in Memphis to a Hollywood icon is nothing short of inspirational. His net worth of $250 million in 2023 reflects his dedication, talent, and the love he has garnered from audiences worldwide. As we continue to enjoy his performances, Freeman’s legacy in the entertainment industry remains unparalleled.
On this date in 2005, T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records dropped the soundtrack to the pimp juice-infused flick Hustle & Flow. The featured song, “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” which was produced by Three 6 Mafia, would get the Memphis crew an unprecedented Oscar for Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards.
Legendary stand out singles from this classic soundtrack include Webbie’s “Bad Bitch”, featuring the Diamond Princess herself Trina, the Lil Jon-powered “I’m a King” (Remix) featuring T.I. and Lil Scrappy, and of course the movie tracks featuring Terrence Howard, who raps as “Djay” on songs like “Whoop That Trick” and the title track. The two above singles actually reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 R&B/hip-hop songs respectively.
Salute to the Grand Hustle imprint, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Boosie and Webbie, and all of the other Dirty South artists who made this soundtrack a piece of Hip Hop history!
One of the most popular parts of the Oscars is the discussion of who hasn’t won one yet. One of those that many fans believe is well overdue for an award is actress Angela Bassett. She’s been nominated for the Best Actress Oscar twice though didn’t win either. The first came in 1994 when she was nominated for What’s Love Got To Do With It. Her role in that film led to a win for Best Actress at the Golden Globes. She was nominated for a second time at the Oscars last year for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. For the second time, she didn’t win the award despite winning the same award at the Golden Globes.
Now, Angela Bassett is finally set to get her Oscar though not in the way many fans may have hoped. She’s set to receive an honorary Oscar during this year’s Governors Awards. She’ll be honored alongside Mel Brooks, Michelle Satter, and Carol Littleton. In their statement announcing the honorees the Oscars included a statement about why Bassett was nominated. “Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting.”
Angela Bassett’s Long-Awaited Oscar
Earlier this year when Bassett lost to Jamie Lee Curtis at the Oscars fans were shocked. One of those fans was SZA who said that realizing Basset didn’t have an Oscar made her want to “knock sh*t over.” Both Jonathan Majors and Michael B. Jordan also also acknowledged the reported snub publicly following the award show.
Many other actors and actresses are seen by fans as deserving of an Oscar. For years both Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt were major examples of stars who had never taken home the award. DiCaprio finally won the award for Best Actor in 2016 for his role in the survival movie The Revenant. A few years later Brad Pitt finally won his as well. He took home the Best Supporting Actor award in 2020 for his role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. What do you think of Angela Bassett’s long-awaited Oscar? Let us know in the comment section below.
Hip hop and awards shows have always had a tumultuous relationship. The Grammys didn’t even recognize the genre until 1989, which, in hindsight, is simply ridiculous. However, rappers have been treated with even less regard when it comes to other “prestigious” awards shows. The first rap track to even get nominated at the Academy Awards wasn’t until 2002. There hasn’t exactly been a deluge of nominations or wins since then.
Regardless of the hard-traveled roads these awards shows create for hip hop artists, there have been some big wins at both. While the Grammys have plenty of rap-centric categories, the limited space the Oscars present has always been a hurdle. However, some rappers have broken through at “Hollywood’s Biggest Night.” Some took home a statue in surprising categories. As of this writing, there have been a total of three rap artists who have won both a Grammy and an Oscar. AND THE WINNERS ARE:
Since 2000, Eminem has earned 15 Grammy Awards and twice as many nominations. In fact, Slim Shady has earned the fourth most wins overall, only bested by icons like Kendrick Lamar, Ye, and Jay-Z. The Detroit rapper’s victories have been spread out over several Grammy categories, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
Despite having a litany of music industry accolades under his belt, Eminem’s most surprising win was earned in 2003. At the 75th Academy Awards, he took home the Best Original Song Oscar for “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile. Directed by Curt Hanson (L.A. Confidential), the semi-autobiographical film garnered praise from critics and fans of Marshall Mathers alike. While Eminem didn’t receive a nomination for acting, he did make Academy Awards history by being the first rapper to win an Oscar.
Eminem’s Academy win didn’t exactly open the floodgates for hip hop artists, but it did set a precedent. Two years later, Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia would win in the same category for their track “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from the film Hustle & Flow. Other artists like Kendrick Lamar would go on to earn nominations years later. Sadly, the next rapper to win an Oscar for Best Original Song wouldn’t be until 2015.
The Chicago-based rapper Common underwent several artistic evolutions during his illustrious career. However, he has always been a conscious figure in rap music, proselytizing street-smart politics through smooth delivery and insightful bars. Despite being nominated twenty times, the rapper has only won three Grammy awards.
Common won his first for the Erykah Badu song “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” in 2003. The song was a duet between Badu and Common, who were romantically involved at the time of its recording. The track was from the film Brown Sugar and helped propel the soundtrack to No. 16 on the Billboard 200 charts. In 2008, he won his second Grammy for “Southside” from his seventh album Finding Forever. Along with Kanye West, he took home the award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group award.
However, the biggest win for Common was the one-two punch of earning an Oscar and Grammy for the same song. At the 2015 Academy Awards, Common won the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Glory” from Selma. A year later, Common and co-writers John Legend and Rhymefest would also win the Best Song Written for Visual Media Grammy. In 2017, Common won an Emmy, leaving him just a Tony award away from the coveted “EGOT.”
Will Smith
Will Smith has been a facet of pop culture for nearly four decades. From being in the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince to starring in summer blockbusters, Smith has dominated every artist field he’s entered. His cultural presence has practically been unmatched by his peers. In 1989, Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff won the inaugural Grammy award for Best Rap Performance for the song “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” The track would go on to be a playful anthem for kids everywhere.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince would also earn their second Grammy in 1993 for the song “Summertime.” The duo would eventually call it quits a year later as Smith was looking to pursue his acting career full-time. However, in the late ‘90s, Smith would return to music as a solo artist. His return to music earned him two more Grammys for the songs “Men in Black” and “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It.”
While Smith’s music career has seemingly been put to rest, his acting has only gained more momentum. Smith was nominated for his first Oscar in 2002 for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the biopic Ali. Five years later, he would earn his second Academy Award nod for the film The Pursuit of Happyness. But apparently, the third time was a charm when Will Smith finally took home the statue in 2022. Smith played Richard Williams, father of Serena and Venus Williams, in the film King Richard. The film not only earned Smith the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar but also a Best Picture nomination.
Musical artists finding themselves in hot water with awards shows is nothing new. From onstage misbehaviors to legal issues, there are plenty of reasons artists are uninvited or outright banned from attending ceremonies. While some of these bans have been met with pushback from fanbases, others certainly held merit. Whether fans agreed with Awards Shows’ decisions or not, it’s hard to deny the cultural impact these bans have had. Let’s look at five rappers who have been barred from attending and/or performing at awards shows.
Chief Keef has always been a controversial figure in the world of hip-hop. Back in 2013, Keef claimed he was banned from performing at the BET Awards, much to the rapper’s chagrin. He responded to the claim via social media, slamming the network for his exclusion. The whole ordeal was steeped in hearsay.
However, in 2014 it seemed that Chief Keef found himself banned from the network entirely after a no-show for the program 106 & Park. This led to massive speculation as to what was happening behind the scenes. In an Instagram post, rapper and 106 & Park host Bow Wow confirmed that Keef had been “blackballed” by the network. Whatever the truth of the matter was, there is still bad blood between Keef and the network.
4. 6ix9ine
The controversial rapper, Tekashi 6ix9ine was scheduled to perform his hit song “FEFE” at the 2018 MTV Music Video Awards. According to Nicki Minaj, who features on the track, claimed the New York rapper was barred from performing at the awards show.
Minaj went on to claim she “fought” to get 6ix9ine on stage but was met with resistance from the awards show. But considering the heinous nature of Takeshi’s well-documented legal issues, it’s no surprise her pleas fell on deaf ears. 6ix9ine was convicted in 2015 of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Since 2009, R&B star Chris Brown has been the subject of controversy. The 34-year-old singer has quite a track record of being sued and accused of crimes including sexual misconduct and physical assault. Despite all the allegations and legal issues, Brown still has a large fan following.
However, it seemed his cultural attaché had its limits. In 2022, Brown took to social media, claiming he was banned from performing at award shows. In the post, Brown commented, “Awards show haven’t let me perform in years… yet my shows STILL SELL OUT.” Later, he confirmed that the BET Awards continue to bar him. Some fans were quick to take umbrage with this revelation. Regardless, Brown appears to still be banned from performing at award shows to this day.
2. Ye
It’s hard to see Ye’s name in a headline and not cringe these days. Whether he’s violating social media rules or espousing pro-Hitler gibberish on far-right talk shows, he’s never far from controversy. Ye (formerly Kanye West) has always demanded the spotlight. He has certainly pushed the notion of “any press is good press” to the limits, with diminishing returns.
However, in 2022, the Chicago-based rapper/producer found himself banned from performing at the Grammy Awards. Representatives for the awards show cited Ye’s disturbing social media behavior as the key reason. Things have not gotten much better for the artist. Ye’s controversial (and outright horrific) statements continue to make him a pariah in the cultural zeitgeist, and rightfully so.
1. Will Smith
At the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, actor and rapper Will Smith found himself in hot water. In what’s been dubbed “the slap heard around the world,” the Oscar-nominated actor took to the stage and smacked Chris Rock with an open palm. The moment was shocking and came after Rock had made disparaging remarks regarding Jada Pinkett Smith.
The fallout from “The Slap” led to Will Smith’s ten-year ban from the Academy Awards for his actions. Some Smith fans felt the ban was uncouth and unfair. Meanwhile, Rock would go on to discuss it in his standup special Selective Outrage!
Richard Dreyfuss slammed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its new rules regarding diversity at the Oscars. The legendary Jaws actor says that the changes “make me vomit.” Dreyfuss addressed the rules during an interview on PBS’ Firing Line With Margaret Hoover.
“It’s an art. No one should be telling me as an artist that I have to give in to the latest, most current idea of what morality is. What are we risking? Are we really risking hurting people’s feelings? You can’t legislate that,” Dreyfuss told Hoover. “You have to let life be life. I’m sorry, I don’t think there is a minority or majority in the country that has to be catered to like that.”
Richard Dreyfuss On The Set Of “Jaws”
In total, the Academy is launching four new diversity and inclusion standards that they will institute for the 2024 Academy Awards. The organization announced the decision in 2020. For a film to qualify for best picture, it has to meet two of the four standards. The goal of the initiative is to expand on-screen representation, themes, or narratives as well as expand representation among creative leadership and department heads and provide industry access and opportunities to underrepresented demographics. One of the rules mandates “an underrepresented group” must comprise one-third of a movie’s cast
From there, Dreyfuss praised Laurence Olivier’s performance in the 1965 film Othello. In the role, Olivier wore blackface to portray the titular character. “He played a Black man brilliantly,” Dreyfuss argued. “Am I being told that I will never have a chance to play a Black man? Is someone else being told that if they’re not Jewish, they shouldn’t play [in] ‘The Merchant of Venice’? Are we crazy? This is so patronizing. It’s so thoughtless and treating people like children.”
In addition to Jaws, Dreyfuss’ most notable credits include American Graffiti, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Stand by Me. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1977 for The Goodbye Girl. Check out Dreyfuss’ appearance on Firing Line With Margaret Hoover below.
One of the surprise delights that awaited viewers of The Super Mario Bros. Movie was another classic Jack Black musical moment — one that has the internet’s attention in a chokehold. “Peaches,” a power ballad sung by Black as the film’s villain Bowser, who secretly pines for the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, has quickly become a fan favorite on social media.
Well, here’s some good news for those fans: According to Variety, “Peaches” will be eligible to win a Best Original Song Oscar at next year’s Academy Awards. Which, if you ask the legions of newly converted Bowswer fans, is an award it already has in the bag.
Universal appears to know this as well; in addition to highlighting the song on social media, the studio even commissioned a music video featuring Jack Black directed by hip-hop’s go-to director Cole Bennett, who applies his signature colorful aesthetic to the video.
The music in The Super Mario Bros. Movie has turned out to be an unexpected star with both classic pop needle drops and not one, but two notoriously bad Ninento-related raps of the ’90s returning to introduce heroes the Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. The cast even made an appearance on late-night TV to perform an acapella version of the game’s iconic theme song.
Check out Bowser’s “Peaches” video above and try not to get it stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
Earlier this month, Ciara sparked controversy when she wore a stunning see-through dress over a black thong at the Vanity Fair Oscars After-Party. Her luxurious outfit quickly went viral and was met with varied responses on social media. Of course, loyal fans came through in defense of the recording artist. However, there was also a sizeable section of the public who believed the revealing look was inappropriate to wear as a wife and mother of three.
Ciara was quick to clap back at what she called “selective outrage.” She posted a video of herself wrapped in a white sheet from the neck down, writing, “POV: How I’m pulling up to Vanity Fair next year .” The Texas-born starlet has been closely watched by internet sleuths and critics recently, who constantly offer her unsolicited feedback on her outfits and body. Back in January, some users even speculated that she and Russell Wilson might be expecting another baby based on her poses in some social media posts.
Ciara Trolls Her Haters
Following the backlash from her Oscars outfit, Ciara posted another video responding to her haters, proving that she’s reached a point in her career where she’s no longer willing to let them get her down. Rather, she’s learned how to laugh it off and move forward with absolute confidence. In the recent post, she’s wearing a gray sweater dress with a matching gray shrug jacket. Her outfit was complete with silver-heeled boots, white gloves, black sunglasses, and an iconic bob. Throughout the clip, followers see the “Body Party” artist strutting along to Beyoncé’s “CHURCH GIRL,” a fan-favorite anthem from her RENAISSANCE album.
CiCi’s post was met with varied responses. One user said, “A lot of folks in our community have bullied Ciara for years and she took it to the chin and kept it pushing. I’m glad she’s finally responding fr.” Another person speculated on the 37-year-old’s motive for uploading the content she does. “I’m convinced, it’s attention she wants,” they wrote earlier this weekend. Check out the industry icon’s more modest slay below, and let us know if you thought her Oscars After-Party gown was too much in the comments.