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01-11-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
CORONER UNCLEAR ABOUT DONDA WEST DEATH: Official report released Thursday is inconclusive.
*A definitive cause of death for Kanye West's mom "could not be determined," said The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office in a statement released Thursday along with its official report, however, multiple factors were listed as possible contributions.
Donda West, 58, died Nov. 10 at a Los Angeles-area hospital, one day after she had a breast reduction, tummy tuck and liposuction procedures done by plastic surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams.
The report affirmed there was no sign of "surgical or anesthetic misadventure." Her existing coronary artery disease, the liposuction, mammoplasty and other post-operative factors may have led to her death, but the exact contribution of each factor could not be determined, the report stated.
Ed Winter of the coroner's office said the family was informed of the findings earlier Thursday. "They were appreciative of our efforts," he said.
Asked if West would still be alive if she hadn't undergone the surgery, Winter said: "She could, possibly. But she could have also died because of pre-existing cardiac issues."
Dr. Adams has denied any wrongdoing and suggests West could have died of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or accidental overdose of painkillers prescribed after the cosmetic surgery. The coroner's report, however, found "therapeutic levels of medication" but no unusually high levels.
MONICA WELCOMES BABY BOY: R&B singer gives birth Tuesday afternoon to Romello Montez Hill.
*It's a boy for R&B singer Monica, who gave birth Tuesday to her second child with boyfriend Rodney “Rocko” Hill.
Little Romello Montez Hill is 19½ inches long and tipped the scales at 5 lbs, 6 oz., according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Monica's manager/cousin Melinda Dancil said both the mother and baby are doing fine – and added that Romello got his middle name from his uncle Montez, who is Monica's brother.
Dancil also said the artist was working on her new album throughout the entire pregnancy and currently has 13 tracks completed.
Monica and Rocko, who are said to be engaged, already have a 2½-year-old son together named Rodney III, a.k.a. Lil Rock.
LAILA ALI AN 'EARLY' RISER: Former boxer to supplement 'Gladiator' income with CBS' 'Early Show.'
*Laila Ali has booked yet another television gig. The retired boxer and current co-host of NBC's breakout hit "American Gladiators" begins a new job this morning as contributing correspondent to CBS's "The Early Show."
"I'll be doing pieces that are inspiring. I hope people walk away from what they see feeling good," Ali, 30, tells People. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
"She's a great addition to the 'The Early Show' team," says senior executive producer Shelley Ross. "She has been a dedicated educator and author in areas of heath and fitness. She has a spiritual side, while being a fearless competitor."
The one-time "Dancing With the Stars" finalist is also set to host "The N’s Student Body," a reality makeover show for Nickelodeon’s soon to launch full-time N network.
As previously reported, the series will document the lives of a group of students as they move forward in an attempt to make positive changes in their lives through diet, volunteering, healthy habits and sports.
The show will have groups from two schools competing in competitions, such as renovating their school or fixing up and park or recreation center. The school that wins will get a $25,000 and the winning teen will get the same amount put towards their college education.
Ali, the daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, was asked by People if she would consider yet another side job competing in Gladiator stadium?
"Uh, no," says Ali with a laugh. "Doing a bunch of different challenges and having TV involved, it's not my type of thing. It's more fun commentating and watching them from the sidelines."
HALLE BERRY HAS HER OWN GOLF TOURNAMENT: Actress partners with Jenesse Center to raise funds for domestic violence victims.
*Halle Berry is lending her name to a golf fundraiser to be held annually by the Jenesse Center, a group that has assisted victims of domestic violence for the past 28 years through services designed to develop solutions and improve their quality of life.
The Halle Berry Celebrity Golf Classic, to be held April 28 at MountainGate Country Club in Los Angeles (12445 MountainGate Drive), will raise money for the Jenesse Center and its effort to continue exposing issues surrounding domestic violence.
"April 28, 2008 will be a day of great fun as we raise much needed funds to help families victimized by domestic violence," Berry says in a statement. "Working together we can stop the violence. I am looking forward to golfing with you. Let's have a great time."
Overton Wilkins of DCO and Associates, along with his partner Stacey "O," said: "Ms. Berry has taken on a huge task, with passion. Her motivation to educate the community about the impact of domestic violence on our society is our motivation to bring you a premiere event. We pride ourselves in producing this event, along with the Jenesse Center Board of Directors, its golf committee, and its' volunteers. This collective effort will result in life changes for families in need."
For sponsorship opportunities, player registration, or additional information, please visit http://www.jenesse.org/golfclassic.html.
DIONNE WARWICK VICTIM OF HOTEL HEIST: Someone plundered more than $100,000 worth of valuables from her nightstand in Rome.
*Dionne Warwick returned to her posh hotel room in Rome Monday to find that $100,000 worth of her jewelry had been stolen, Italian newspapers reported on Wednesday.
Two rings, a necklace, a Rolex watch and pair of earrings left on a night table were taken by thieves Monday while Warwick was off preparing for a concert, reported La Repubblica newspaper.
The robbery took place in the same room at the opulent Hotel De Russie where actress Cameron Diaz encountered a pair of thieves seven years ago, newspapers said.
Warwick, best known for pop hits such as "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?," "I Say A Little Prayer" and "That's What Friends Are For," is touring in Italy throughout the month.
THE ART OF WOOING DENZEL: Hollywood execs go through his mother to convince him of being both actor and director of 'Debaters.'
*Denzel Washington agreed to both direct and star in the film "The Great Debaters," but only after months of denied requests from studio boss Harvey Weinstein that culminated in a high stakes pitch meeting between their mothers.
"Denzel didn't want to do it," Weinstein told the New York Daily News' Rush & Malloy column Tuesday at a private screening of the film hosted by Revlon billionaire Ronald Perelman. "He said, 'I'm directing the movie, and I don't want to do two things.'
"I said, 'You've got to do it! No one is going to play that role better than you.'
"Denzel said, 'No, no. Let's get Terrence Howard or somebody else.'"
Co-producer Oprah Winfrey began to get nervous. She thought Weinstein's constant pressure would cause Washington to walk away from project altogether. Weinstein recalls: "Oprah was telling me, 'Leave it alone! Be nice.' She was so thrilled to have Denzel directing."
According to Rush & Malloy, Washington wanted Weinstein to give him another $4 million or $5 million to make the 1930s period drama.
Says Weinstein: "Finally, Denzel said, 'I want your mom's number. I want my mother and your mother to talk. Let's see if they can work it out.'"
Denzel's mother, Lennis, called Harvey's mother, Miriam. Soon after the telephone conversation, "I gave him the money he wanted, and in return he acted in the film," said Weinstein. "That's what the mothers imposed on us."
Thanks to the moms, Denzel now has another performance surrounded by Oscar buzz.
"We're up against a lot of bloody movies," like "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood," admitted Weinstein. "But this movie is about inspiring the next generation."
CRANK DAT PREGNANT TEEN RUMOR: Did Soulja Boy knock up a 19-year-old? Plus, rapper's hit single makes digital download history.
*Rumor has it that 17-year-old rapper Soulja Boy Tell'em has gotten a 19-year-old Atlanta resident pregnant, however, his producer Michael “Mr. ColliPark” Crooms says the reports are completely false.
The woman is reportedly claiming that she and Soulja Boy dated through most of last year, but he abruptly stopped talking to her after finding out that she is pregnant.
ColliPark, the Atlanta music mogul who signed him to his ColliPark Music label under Interscope, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Wednesday morning that the woman's pregnancy claims are not true.
Meanwhile, there is some good news for the rapper. His hit single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," from the album Souljaboytellem.com, set a record this week by becoming the first digital track to be downloaded 3 million times, according to Interscope.
"Soulja Boy has set the bar for what's possible in terms of breaking an artist online," commented Steve Berman, President of Sales and Marketing for Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "He's been doing it since day one, before he was signed here, so I'm not surprised he's setting a record today. Soulja Boy is out there on the frontier, showing everyone else what's possible."
Soulja Boy adds: "I can't thank my fans enough, without them all of this wouldn't have been possible. The support they give me is beyond incredible. I have so many Soulja Boy Tell'em projects ready and I will continue to give them what they need in 2008."
His video for the album's third single, "Yahhh!" (featuring Arab), premiered this week on BET's "Access Granted" and on Yahoo! Music. The behind-the-scenes feature on "Yahhh!" has already been viewed 1,200,000 times on YouTube.
TV ONE READY TO BRING 'THE FUNNY': New stand-up comedy series to be hosted by Chris Rock's brother Tony.
*There's some funny business going on at TV One. The network on Wednesday announced a new stand-up comedy series to be hosted by Tony Rock, brother of Chris Rock and former cast member on the sitcom "All of Us."
Titled "The Funny Spot," the show will feature comedians providing their unique takes on the world, as well as glimpses of the action behind-the-scenes and a regular segment, "On the Spot," where performers answer tough questions from Rock and the audience, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Comics set to perform on the show include "Last Comic Standing"
finalists Geoff Brown, Corey Holcomb and Retha Jones as well as Joe Clair, Rudy Rush, Alex Thomas, Franklyn Ajaye, Chris Spencer, Michael Colyar, Esau McGraw, David Arnold and Rodney Perry. Damon Wayans and Kevin Hart also planning to make appearances.
The weekly, hour-long series -- filmed at the Comedy Union in Los Angeles -- debuts at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 19.
DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ GET THE 'POINT': Atlanta group returns in March with new album.
*Dem Franchize Boyz are set to release a second album under Virgin titled "Da Point Of No Return," which will be led by the Bangladesh-produced first single, "Talkin' Out Da Side Of Ya Neck!,", reports Billboard.com.
Other producers on the album include Mannie Fresh, Jazze Pha, Marvelous J, Maestro, Young Juve and DFB member Parlae, while T-Pain and Pleasure of the group Pretty Ricky make guest appearances.
Jermaine Dupri signed DFB to Virgin in 2005, prior to his resigning as president of Urban Music at the label to become president of Island Urban. The group released their debut album "On Top Of Our Game" in 2006.
That set's official first single, "I Think They Like Me," reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in late 2005 and "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit it" peaked at No. 2 the following year.
J.LO TALKS BABIES, TABLOIDS, PRIVACY AND MORE: Singer explains why she took so long to admit pregnancy.
*Jennifer Lopez is finally explaining why she refused to confirm her pregnancy despite multiple reports of baby-related purchases, a sizable baby bump and her tour's costume designer accidentally spilling the beans in an interview.
"I do realize people want to know because they're interested, but this is the first time I'm going through this," Lopez tells Harper's Bazaar magazine in its February issue. "This is my experience and my husband's experience, and we get to hold that for a little while."
"I kind of feel like everybody knew anyway," she adds. "I was on tour with a bubble gut!"
Lopez, 38, finally announced the pregnancy during her Miami concert on Nov. 8, telling the crowd: "Marc and I are expecting a baby!" But the entertainer says she still feels the need to keep most things in her life private.
"I'm just feeling too protective to open that door right now," says Lopez. "It's a Pandora's box. It's a destructive lifestyle to be out there. I know because I've lived it. Being on the cover of the tabloids every day for two years – it's hard. You start forgetting who you really are inside."
When the baby finally arrives, how long will J.Lo spend away from her hectic schedule?
"I don't know – and I like that, because my life has been so planned for so many years," she said. "Once I did the tour, I really just wanted to shut it down, and since then I've had to do three things, including a video. It may not sound like a lot, but you know, as this point, any woman can sympathize. It is a lot. I was ready just to sit."
JAMES BROWN ITEMS TO HIT AUCTION BLOCK: Possessions will be sold; money to go toward taxes owed by estate.
*Items owned by the late Godfather of Soul will be appraised and offered to the public at auction, in part as a way to cover taxes owed by his estate, court appointed trustees told the Associated Press Wednesday.
Attorney Adele Pope would not disclose the nature of James Brown's possessions to be auctioned, or their estimated worth. She also refused to say after a hearing how much the estate owed.
Following Brown's Dec. 25, 2006, death in Atlanta, his estate has been the source of constant legal bickering between the entertainer's six adult children; Tomi Rae Hynie, who claims to be Brown's fourth wife and the mother of another of his children; and one woman who has proven through DNA testing that she is Brown's biological child.
The trustees have asked Brown's children and Hynie to provide a list of items they don't want auctioned. An attorney for Hynie, a former backup singer for Brown, said some automobiles were given to her and shouldn't be auctioned.
"It's easier to divide money, and we don't know who will be getting what," Robert Rosen said
BERRY GORDY TO RECEIVE RECORDING ACADEMY HONOR: Motown founder saluted for his impact on the business of music.
*Motown Records founder Berry Gordy will be honored by The Recording Academy at its annual Grammy Salute To Industry Icons event on Sunday, Feb. 10, immediately following the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.
This exclusive reception, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, features a presentation of the President's Merit Award to Industry Icons in recognition of Gordy's significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have made on music and the business of music.
"Berry Gordy embodies that rare combination of creative genius, entrepreneurial excellence and fearless proponent of social change," said President/CEO of The Recording Academy Neil Portnow. "By bringing the heart and soul of Motown to the world, he opened the ears of music fans and opened doors for music makers who have become the most revered and beloved artists of all time. We are honored to pay tribute to an icon who has shaped popular music with his artistry, drive, and unparalleled ability to identify and develop young talent."
Past recipients of the Grammy Salute To Industry Icons President's Merit Award include Ahmet Ertegun, Mo Ostin, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. The invitation-only VIP event will be attended by prominent artists and industry leaders.
GARY DOURDAN STARS IN BIOPIC OF 'SOLEDAD BROTHER': 'CSI' actor plays civil rights activist George Jackson in new DVD.
*Actor Gary Dourdan spent time away from his hit CBS series "CSI:
Crime Scene Investigation" to star in the Warner Home Video "Black August," which tells the life story of prison activist and "Soledad Brother" author, George L. Jackson.
"Black August" chronicles the last event-filled months of Jackson’s journey from street tough to political martyr. After moving with his family from Chicago to Los Angeles, Jackson was arrested for a $70 gas station robbery and received a sentence of one year to life.
During his eleven years in prison, Jackson studied Marx, Mao and other revolutionary thinkers. He channeled the explosive rage of an oppressed and exploited community into a powerful indictment of the racial status quo in a series of passionate and poetic letters that were collected and published in the volume "Soledad Brother."
Co-directed by TCinque Sampson and Samm Styles, "Black August"
arrives on DVD Feb. 19.
'THE WIRE'S' OMAR TURNED AWAY FROM PREMIERE PARTY: Bouncer denies him entry because his crew was too deep.
*Actor Michael K. Williams, better known as ruthless gay thug Omar on HBO's "The Wire," found himself unable to get into the premiere party of his own show Friday night because security was tripping.
According to the New York Post Page's Six, Williams brought eight male friends to the party at Le Royale on Leroy Street in New York, but was told by the doorman that not all of them were allowed inside.
"The doorman told him he couldn't let a big group in, but could let in two people," according to a witness. An agitated Williams said, "All of us need to get in," and one of his friends declared, "This is Michael from 'The Wire' and this is 'The Wire' party."
Their pleas fell on deaf ears, prompting Williams and his crew to leave, stating, "Fine, we'll just go to The Plumm."
"The Wire" just premiered its fifth and final season on Sunday night.
MAGAZINE STAND: Tyra talks loneliness in Essence; Persia White talks 'Girlfriends' snub in Steppin' Out; Mary J. on beauty in Vibe; 50 Cent/DeNiro cover Vibe special issue.
*Tyra Banks opens up about the loneliness that awaits her at the end of her busy days – which swing between producing/hosting "America's Next Top Model" and her own daytime talk show. "I'd go to work [on 'The Tyra Banks Show'], and women would be crying in my arms," she tells the latest issue of Essence, on stands Saturday. "But then I'd go home and put my key in my door and … nothing. No friends, no husband, no children. I feel so full when I'm at work but so empty when I come home."
*"Girlfriends" star Persia White has had about enough of her show being ignored by mainstream press despite being the highest-rated series in black households each week. The actress tells Steppin' Out's Chaunce Hayden: "We always hoped it would get the same kind of credit that other shows like 'Sex in the City' got. But sadly enough, the fact that we're a female minority show, the press has been really, really hard on us. It has a lot to do with why we don't get much attention." Read full article here: http://www.steppinoutmagazine.com/
*Mary J. Blige graces the cover of Vibe magazine's February issue, making this her record-breaking ninth cover feature -- the most for any celebrity in Vibe's 15-year history. When the topic of beauty came up in the interview, Blige said: "I've never looked at myself as the most beautiful girl. I can't do Beyonce, hair blowing in the video. Halle Berry is just freaking gorgeous. There are some women who have this thing, so feminine and strong. I have none of those. My features don't call for me to be a glamour girl. I have to use my personality."
*50 Cent and Robert DeNiro just shot the cover of Vibe's Hollywood issue two days ago at Milk Studios, reports the New York Daily News. The actors star in the upcoming film, "Righteous Kill" along with Al Pacino.
ITTY BITTY BITS: New York & Tailor Made; Titans dropped from lawsuit; Kidd's kid?; Oprah's will ignores Stedman?; Ike's lost 'Angels.'
*A VH1 rep is denying reports that TV couple Tiffany "New York"
Pollard and George "Tailor Made" Weisgerber have broken up in order to clear the way for a third season of her reality series, "I Love New York 2." The spokeswoman told The Associated Press on Wednesday that they're still a couple and there are no plans for a third season. New York selected the 32-year-old retail planner over actor Ezra "Buddha" Masters during the Dec. 17 season finale, which was watched by 5.43 million viewers.
*A Nevada judge has dropped the NFL's Tennessee Titans from a lawsuit by a strip club employee who was paralyzed in a triple shooting following a melee involving suspended player Adam "Pacman" Jones. Clark County District Court Judge Jessie Walsh agreed with team lawyers who contended the Titans didn't do business in Nevada and couldn't be held responsible for Jones' behavior at the Minxx Gentleman's Club last Feb. 19. Jones has been promised a sentence of one year of probation, and has agreed to testify about what he knew about the shooting outside.
*In the midst of his marital woes, Jason Kidd has reportedly gotten another woman pregnant. The New York Post's Page Six claims his alleged "model girlfriend," Hope Dworaczyk, is expecting. "Hope, Jason and their parents all celebrated her pregnancy announcement at Sabor Latin Bistro in Edgewater Sunday night," a source told the column. "Since Hope started showing, she has stopped sitting courtside."
*The National Enquirer insists that Oprah Winfrey's last will and testament leaves absolutely nothing to her boyfriend of 21 years, Stedman Graham. The tabloid is also claiming that she plans to someday adopt three daughters, who would ultimately get the bulk of her estimated $2 billion fortune upon her death, as will various charities. “It’s something she has always wanted to do,” the source said of Oprah's supposed adoption plans. “There’s no talk of her adopting the children with Stedman — this is something she’s going to do by herself.”
*Producers of the indie film "Fallen Angels" are trying to find an actor who can replace the late Ike Turner, who was scheduled to begin shooting the role of a record executive later this month. "We're hoping to get somebody like Bobby Brown or Snoop Dogg," executive producer George Angelo Jr. told Page Six.
KATRINA VICTIMS FILE 489,000 CLAIMS AGAINST FED. GOVT.: One of them seeks '$3 quadrillion' for levee failure.
*Roughly 489,000 claims have been filed against the federal government over damage from the failure of levees and flood walls following Hurricane Katrina – and one of the plaintiffs is seeking damages in the quadrillions. Seriously.
According to the Associated Press, a person from Baker, La. is seeking $3,014,170,389,176,410, which amounts to a little over $3 quadrillion dollars, to compensate for troubles ever since the Aug. 29, 2005, hurricane rolled through.
Of roughly 489,000 total claims, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it has received 247 for at least $1 billion apiece, including the one for $3 quadrillion.
Some residents may have grossly exaggerated their claims to send a message to the corps, which has accepted blame for poorly designing the failed levees.
"I understand the anger," Scott said. "I also understand it's a negotiating tactic: Aim high and negotiate down."
Daniel Becnel, Jr., a lawyer who said his clients have filed more than 60,000 claims, said measuring Katrina's devastation in dollars and cents is a nearly impossible task.
"There's no way on earth you can figure it out," he said. "The trauma these people have undergone is unlike anything that has occurred in the history of our country."
The corps released zip codes, but no names, for the 247 claims of at least $1 billion. The list includes a $77 billion claim by the city of New Orleans. Fourteen involve a wrongful death claim. Fifteen were filed by businesses, including several insurance companies.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a
Film Fun
For movies opening January 11, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Bucket List (PG-13 for profanity and a sexual reference) Oscar-winners Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman co-star in this bittersweet end-of-life saga as terminally-ill cancer patients who make a break from the hospital after compiling a checklist of everything they want to do before kicking the bucket. With Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd and Rowena King.
First Sunday (PG-13 for profanity, sexual humor and drug references) Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan co-star in this crime comedy about a couple of ghetto gangstas who end up with more than they bargained for when their attempt to rob a church goes awry. Ensemble cast includes Katt Williams, Regina Hall, Loretta Devine, Keith David, Chi McBride, Clifton Powell and Nicholas Turturro.
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (PG-13 for intense battle
sequences) Epic fantasy adventure, based on the video game Dungeon Siege, stars Jason Statham as a revenge-minded family man-turned-warrior intent on rescuing his kidnapped wife (Claire Forlani) from the evil race of rampaging beasts responsible for the death of their son. Supporting cast includes Burt Reynolds, Leelee Sobieski, Ray Liotta, Ron Perlman, John Rhys-Davies and Brian J. White.
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie (G) Family-oriented, animated adventure about three misfit busboys who dream of ditching their dishrags to appear onstage in their restaurant's pirate-themed dinner theater only to end up miraculously travel back in time to the 17th C. where they end up embroiled in a real-life seafaring saga.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
The Business of Being Born (Unrated) In-hospital versus at-home childbirth is debated in this documentary featuring gynecologists and expectant moms (including Ricki Lake) weighing the pros and cons of both options plus intimate footage of the arrival of newborn babies.
Liberty Kid (Unrated) Buddy drama about a pair of pals whose friendship is strained after they lose their dead-end jobs at the Statue of Liberty when the island is closed in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attack. One (Kareem Savinon) decides to deal drugs, while the other (Al Thompson) enlists in the Army only to end up on the front lines in Iraq.
Taxi to the Dark Side (R for torture, disturbing images and graphic nudity) War on Terror documentary explores of the evolution of the American position on torture and the Geneva Conventions by telescoping in on the case of an innocent cabbie beaten to death while being interrogated at Bagram Air Force base in Afghanistan.
Woman on the Beach (Unrated) Romance drama about a movie director (Kim
Seung-woo) who invites a friend (Kim Tae-woo) to the beach on the pretext of collaborating on a script, while his real intention is to make a pass at the guy's girlfriend (Go Hyun-jung). (In Korean with subtitles)
JURNEE SMOLLET & DENZEL WHITAKER: The Great Debaters Interview with Kam Williams
The Great Young Stars in The Great Debaters
*In The Great Debaters, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker more than hold their own opposite a couple of Academy Award-winners in Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.
These accomplished young stars deliver powerful performances portraying members of all-black Wiley College's 1935 debate team which won the national championship.
Born into a family filled with talented thespians, Jurnee's siblings, Jazz, Jake, Jocqui, Jussie and Jojo, are also professional actors. Only 21, she already has won a couple of NAACP Image Awards, both for her work on the TV series Cosby.
Jurnee got her start at the age of five on TV, enjoying recurring roles, in turn, on such shows as Hanging with Mr. Cooper, Full House and On Our Own. By the age of 10, she had landed her first title role on the big screen, as Eve in the critically-acclaimed Eve's Bayou.
17 year-old Denzel's resume' is practically as impressive, as he made his auspicious acting debut at 11 opposite Denzel Washington in Training Day. Since then, he's appeared on numerous television programs, including One on One, ER, All That, The War at Home, Teachers, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Here, the gifted pair share their thoughts about their latest outing as James Farmer, Jr. and Samantha Booke.
Denzel Whitaker: Hey, Kam!
Kam Williams: Thanks for the time.
DW: Not a problem. How're you doing?
KW: Great. How intimidating was it for you working with Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker?
Jurnee Smollet: It wasn't intimidating.
DW: Because right when you step into the audition room, Denzel demands a certain level of professionalism. Also, he sets a professional tone, and a collaborative tone among everybody. Nobody's bigger than the rest. It's one of those situations where you can't be intimidated otherwise we wouldn't have made it past the first audition. It's all about being a professional and performing, although at the end of the day you might sit back and realize, "Wow, I just did a scene with Denzel Washington." I'd be standing at the snack line saying, "Did I really just do that?" But, at the same time, when you step back onto the set, and hop back into character, you're ready to shine a light onto a story that not many people have heard of. And so many little things are playing in your mind that you don't even think about the fact that you're doing so-called acting in front of Denzel and Forest.
KW: Did you have a sense, as you were making the movie, of the significance of the story, historically?
DW: No, I only really got a sense of its importance after the film. But I have to say that during the lynching scene you could feel the importance of the film, of what it meant to grow up during that era. And to feel what our ancestors felt.
JS: Yeah, once I saw the film, I was really blown away by how impactful it was even on me, and I'd been there for the entire process. But while you're doing it, you're so focused on being present that you have to forget all the external stuff in order to make it honest, to make it natural.
KW: Denzel, given your name, did you feel predestined to act as a child?
DW: No, not at all. Acting didn't occur to me till about seven years ago. I knew who Denzel Washington was, but never did it occur to me that I had the same name as an Academy Award-winner. It didn't drive me to acting, but it's definitely a compliment when someone says something like, "Hey, you're little Denzel."
KW: What do you hope this picture will impress upon young kids?
JS: The film has so many messages. One is the power of the spoken word. We see it today in poets and hip-hop artists. The power of our tongues. The power of having an opinion and using your mind as a weapon versus using something like a gun or a knife. Using the tools that God has given you as your biggest strength. That was the ticket out. That was how we got to where we are now, because there were so many people who decided to pick up a book, and fed their minds with that kind of fuel.
KW: Next is what I call the Jimmy Bayan question. Where in L.A. do you live?
DW: I live in the South Bay area.
JS: And I live in the Valley.
KW: Is there a question that nobody ever asks you that you wish somebody would ask?
JS: Yeah, what's your favorite cereal? [Laughs]
KW: Okay, what's your favorite cereal?
DW: Jurnee, what's your favorite cereal?
JS: [Hesitates] Ummmmm, see, I go back and forth between oatmeal and Wheatena.
DW: And I go back and forth between Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fruit Loops [Laughs]
JS: [Laughs heartily]
KW: I like natural oatmeal, the grain that you actually cook.
JS: Yeah, definitely! Old-fashioned, not that quick stuff either. Kam, what do you put in your oatmeal?
KW: Soy milk, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, a dash of vanilla and a dollop of butter.
JS: Ooh, you do it up! I put cinnamon, bananas, raisins and coconut oil.
KW: Wow! That sounds delicious! I'm going to try that.
JS: And I've also tried it with some walnuts.
KW: Denzel, how about you? Is there a question that nobody ever asks you that you wish somebody would ask?
JS: Ask him what's his favorite song?
KW: Why, is there a song he plays all the time? I heard that he likes Rapper's Delight.
DW: Oh, that's something from my past that my cast members don't know anything about.
JS: Rapper's Delight?
KW: Old school. I heard that you can rap the whole song.
DW: Not the whole thing, just the first segment of it. It was before the Kids' Choice Awards, the first one I ever attended. I was on Nickelodeon's All That at the time. They were like, "Okay, now we're going to bring someone up from the audience to sing Rapper's Delight. If you know this song, raise your hand." Everything was new and exciting, and I started waving my hand, because and I'd heard it once or twice on my mom's radio.
Then all of a sudden they call on me and I'm just standing there with a dumb look on my face. So, I run up on stage and grab the microphone, and the next thing you know I'm rapping and shaking people's hands in the slime pool pit.
It was cool!
KW: The Columbus Short question. Are you happy?
JS: You know what? I'm immensely happy. I walk in a space of gratitude. I'm so grateful to God for blessing me with an amazing family and the opportunity to do what I love. I love what I do, and I'm so proud of this film.
DW: I'm very happy. I'm proud to be doing the work that I'm doing. And I'm anxious and hopeful that my next body of work will be as significant as this film.
KW: Do you know what picture's up next for you?
DW: No, sir. But having Denzel and Oprah put their hands on you, so to speak, is something special. After this, I'm just trying to see what scripts are out there. I'd really like to find more roles that are meaningful.
KW: Jurnee, you were Eve in Eve's Bayou.
JS: Yes, sir.
KW: So, you landed a title role pretty young.
JS: Yeah, I was 10.
KW: How does it feel to have been a part of such an important film at such a young age?
JS: Thank you. I'm really, really proud of Eve's Bayou because we made it 11 years ago, and still people come up to me and tell me how much it touched them and how much they loved that film. It was also important to my development because I learned a lot on that set. I gained an immense amount of confidence from that film, and learned a lot about my craft. I'm very grateful to have been able to work with so many talented filmmakers and actors during my career. I've learned so much from them. It's been my college, in a way.
KW: Eve's Bayou was filmed at several locations around Louisiana's Gulf Region. Do you have anything to say about the handling of Hurricane Katrina?
JS: Oh God! You can't shut me up about it. My mom is from New Orleans. And all of my maternal relatives were there during Katrina. We couldn't even find my uncle for four months. We literally didn't know where he was. I had been there just four days before the storm hit.
KW: Have you been back?-
JS: Yes, the first time I went back was two months after. I went with the Children's Defense Fund. We went all around. to the Lower Ninth Ward. and to some of the freedom schools that the Children's Defense Fund is building. While there are a lot of people down there who are working hard, we're not giving them enough help. I can't tell you how many people I know whose lives have been turned upside-down. All of my maternal relatives have left, with the exception of my uncle. Everyone else is either in Houston or Dallas or Atlanta. They've been able to rebuild their lives, but not everyone is as fortunate. I could tell you stories about children who were supposed to be on medication whose mothers couldn't get their prescriptions filled for months, because of all the red tape they had to go through. I was like, "This is America? They did nothing wrong to deserve this." This was a national disaster, and yet so many children had to pay such a heavy price.
KW: Despite being young, you are very active with many charities and social causes. I know you were over in Africa working with AIDS patients, too.
JS: Yeah, I was fortunate enough to go to South Africa with Artists for a New South Africa. That trip changed my life, man. The stuff you see. and the stories you hear firsthand. I mean, that country has such beauty, and yet such pain. The spirit of the people is amazing, but there's still a lot of work that's just got to be done. It's so easy to take the things we have for granted. Little things like electricity, running water and a roof over our heads. They have to work so hard to get things we feel entitled to. There's hunger for an education over there. Being there made me realize what's important in life, and made me reevaluate a lot of things in my own life.
KW: Well, thank you both for the interview. I'm expecting even bigger things from both of you down the line and hope to speak to you again when you're working on new projects.
DW: Oh, we'd love to.
JS: Yes, thank you. Happy New Year!
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness." — Henry David Thoreau: 19th century American essayist, poet, and philosopher
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Jan. 11: Singer Rahsaan Patterson is 34. Saxophonist Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is 66. Actress Kim Coles ("Living Single") is 46. Singer Maxee Maxwell of Brownstone is 39. Singer Mary J. Blige is 37.
Jan. 12: Trumpeter Cynthia Robinson of Sly and the Family Stone is 62. Singer-keyboardist George Duke is 62. Rapper Raekwon of Wu Tang Clan is 38. Singer Amerie is 28.
Jan. 13: Drummer Fred White of Earth, Wind and Fire is 53. Actress Traci Bingham ("Baywatch") is 40.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Find out about the trio known as the Black Paris Divas who provide tours of the City of Light featuring bountiful shopping excursions, palate-pleasing dining experiences and lots more: www.blackparisdivas.com
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Jan. 11, 1865: Robert E. Lee, with his armies at low tide, recommended the employment of blacks in the Confederate forces because it was "not only expedient but necessary."
Jan. 12, 1965: Lorraine Hansberry, author and dramatist, dies.
Jan. 13, 1869: National convention of black leaders met in Washington, D.C. Fredrick Douglass was elected president. (Source:
www.BlackFacts.com)
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