Month: March 2022

Will Smith has publicly apologized to Chris Rock after their onstage altercation Sunday night at the 2022 Oscars. Smith took to Instagram on Monday to express remorse for slapping Rock after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.  While Smith had apologized to the Academy during his acceptance speech after winning his first Oscar for Best Actor on Sunday night, he didn’t directly offer an apology to Rock at that time.

Smith said in his apology posted to social media on Monday: “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusableJokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams family and my King Richard family.

“I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”

The incident took place when Rock took the stage to present at the Oscars, joking, “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” referencing Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Moments later, Smith confronted Rock onstage, slapping him with an open hand.  After hitting Rock, Smith returned to his seat and yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth.”  Jada Pinkett Smith has publicly spoken about her struggles with alopecia, an incurable autoimmune disorder that causes bald spots and hair loss.

The Academy condemned Smith’s actions and launched an official probe into the incident. Rock declined to press charges against Smith, and as of press time has not publicly addressed the altercation.

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The adventure comedy, The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, was the No. 1 movie in North America this weekend, earning $31 million in receipts.

Coming in at No. 2 is The Batman with $20.5 million, followed by RRR at No. 3 with $9.5 million, Uncharted at No. 4 with $5 million and Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie at No. 5 with $4.6 million.

Rounding out the top tier are X at No. 6 with $2.2 million, Dog at No. 7 with $2.1 million, Spider-Man: No Way Home at No. 8 with $2 million, Sing 2 at No. 9 with $1.3 million and Infinite Storm at No. 10 with $751,000.

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The 94th Academy Awards ceremony was held Sunday night from The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes and airing live on ABC.

The night’s top honor was given to CODA, which was named the Best Picture of 2021 at the Oscars. The dramatic comedy about the music-loving daughter of deaf parents also earned the honor for Best Adapted Screenplay, while cast member Troy Kotsur picked up the Best Supporting Actor trophy. The epic sci-fi film Dune won for Best Cinematography, Visual Effects, Sound, Film Editing, Score and Production Design prizes.

Best Director honors went to Jane Campion earned the title of Best Director for the western The Power of the Dog, while Will Smith won Best Actor for the tennis-themed family drama King Richard and Jessica Chastain went home with the Best Actress prize for the biopic The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which also won for Best Hair & Makeup. Ariana DeBose scored the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the movie musical West Side Story, and Encanto earned the accolade for Best Animated Film.   Kenneth Branagh won the Best Original Screenplay statuette for his coming-of-age tale, Belfast.  And the song “No Time to Die” from the James Bond film No Time to Die won Best Song.

The highlights of the evening was a 30th anniversary reunion of White Men Can’t Jump stars Rosie Perez, Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, and a performance of the nominated song “Be Alive” by Beyonce.

Most notably, however, was Will Smith making headlines when he slapped presenter Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made fun of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s new close-cropped hairdo, which is due to her battle with alopecia. When accepting his Oscar for Best Actor, Smith later apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his fellow nominees for his behavior — but he did not mention Rock by name in his apology.

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An early toxicology report states that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins had 10 different psychoactive substances in his system when he passed away in Bogota, Columbia at the age of 50. The Office of the Attorney General of Colombia released a statement saying that preliminary toxicology tests found 10 substances, including marijuana, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids. Hawkins was found dead in his hotel room in Bogota, where Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform at Festival Estereo Picnic. Bogata’s Secretariat of Health issued a statement explaining that an ambulance responded to an emergency call stating that Hawkins was suffering chest pains.

The band confirmed his death via social media: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely death of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, after serving as the Alanis Morissette’s touring drummer for two years. Hawkins played drums on eight consecutive Foo Fighters albums. He also performed on Hail Satin, the band’s 2021 Bee Gees tribute album, and released three albums with the Coattail Riders, one LP with his prog-rock side project the Birds of Satan, and fronted the rock ‘n’ roll cover band Chevy Metal, which toured regularly for more than a decade.

Hawkins played his final show with Foo Fighters five days before his death, on March 20 at Lollapalooza Argentina. Grohl said that night:  “You know the best thing about Taylor Hawkins, he’s the best f*****g drummer in the world. We love him so much.”

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Ciara has joined the cast of ‘The Color Purple’ movie musical, the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple musical stage production. The 36-year-old Ciara will star as the adult version of Nettie, with fellow recording artist and actress Halle Bailey previously announced as portraying the younger version of the character. Ciara wrote on Twitter: “Honored to be a part of this beautiful ensemble and historic film, The Color Purple. Truly grateful.”

The movie musical version of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel follows American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino as Celie, who navigates Southern life in the early 1900s. Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson also are set to star in the film as Sofia and Shug Avery, respectively. Other cast members include: Colman Domingo as Mister; Corey Hawkins as Harpo; H.E.R. as Squeak; Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister; David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery; Tamela J. Mann as First Lady; Phylicia Mpasi as Young Celie; Deon Cole as Alfonso; and Stephen Hill as Buster.

Set to begin shooting this month in Georgia, The Color Purple will be produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. Spielberg directed the 1985 film that Winfrey starred in. Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones also will produce the project.

The film is slated for a December 2023 theatrical release.

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Hulu has released the trailer for the five-episode series “Candy,” starring Jessica Biel and based on the true story of Candy Montgomery, a Texas housewife who is involved in the shocking 1980 death of Betty Gore.  Biel also serves as executive producer of the miniseries.

The series follows the real life story of Montgomery, who had an affair with Gore’s husband. After she was confronted about the rumors, she attacked Gore with an axe 41 times. The show details before the murder, as Montgomery and Gore become friends, then reaches the trial where Montgomery acquitted of murder. A psychiatrist testified that Montgomery had a “dissociative reaction” at the time of the attack.
Biel also executive produced the miniseries, like she did the hit show “The Sinner.”

Candy also stars “Yellowjackets” actress Melanie Lynskey, Timothy Simons and Pablo Schreiber, and is set to premiere on May 9. New episodes will be released daily through May 13.

Take a look at the trailer for Candy – here.

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