The entire world is still in shock after watching Will Smith walk on the stage at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, then smack Chris Rock in the face, after the comedian joked about seeing Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in a possible “G.I. Jane 2,” because of her close shaved head.
Jada suffers from alopecia, which attacks hair follicles resulting in bald spots and hair loss. When Smith sat back down, he yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth!”, at Rock. A source told People that Smith was still angry about Rock’s joke about Jada at the Oscars in 2016.
“When Chris hosted the Oscars in 2016, Jada was boycotting because of ‘Oscars So White.’ In his opening monologue, he made fun of her, saying she can’t boycott something she wasn’t invited to,” the insider explained to People. Chris had said, “Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna‘s panties. I wasn’t invited.”
Meanwhile, following the slap, Bradley Cooper, Tyler Perry and Denzel Washington, were all seen talking to Will Smith. The shocking incident didn’t stop Smith from celebrating his win for Best Actor for his role as Venus and Serena Williams‘ father, Richard Williams, in “King Richard.” He was later spotted dancing with the Oscar statuette to his song “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.
The former Fresh Prince of Bel Air star also posted on Instagram, “You can’t take people from Philadelphia (his hometown) and Baltimore (Jada’s hometown) anywhere,’ and told sources, Washington advised him, “Remember, the devil calls when you are at your highest point.”
Rock is not pressing charges against Smith. The funnyman “declined to file a police report,” said the LAPD. On March 28, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a statement, “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show. We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.”
In other Oscar news, Questlove won Best Documentary for his directorial debut of “Summer of Soul,” the Hulu film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival………
Tonight Show cover-up?
OK! is reporting that there is a “cover-up in the corridors of 30 Rock!” A high-level source allegedly told OK!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon showrunner, Jamie Granet-Bederman, was “let go and did not quit.”
It was announced on March 25 that Granet-Bederman, who had worked with Fallon for 13 years, was “transitioning to develop a number of new projects” with the late-night host.
“These last 13 years working with Jimmy have been such a gift. It’s been an honor to have helped him launch not one but two late-night shows, and I will be forever grateful to my amazing Tonight Show family,” Granet-Bederman said in an exit statement……
Chris Cuomo in Hamptons
Former CNN host Chris Cuomo and his wife Christina were spotted in the Hamptons going out for coffee and running errands on March 20, days after the ex-anchorman filed his first motion demanding $25 million in severance pay from CNN, reports the Daily Mail.
As reported last week, Cuomo is accusing CNN and his colleagues of mounting a smear campaign against him and of violating his contract. Cuomo looked casual as he drove his black Ford F-150 and stepped out to deliver some packages. ……
Baldwin in Italy
Alec Baldwin is heading back to work as an actor in Italy following the fatal “Rust” accident last October, according to two Italian production companies.
Variety reports Italy’s Minerva Pictures and Andrea Iervolin and Monika Bacardi‘s ILBI have revealed that both Alec and his brother Daniel Baldwin have been cast in two films they are jointly producing, and which will soon shoot in Rome.
Minerva chief Gianluca Curti said Alec will arrive in Rome on March 26. Daniel is already in the Italian capital……
‘Little Hollywood’
Last week, the Upper East Side was dubbed “Little Hollywood” due to three high profile TV series shooting scenes there, including Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” starring Rachel Brosnahan; “Only Murders in the Building” on Hulu, which stars Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short; and the upcoming series Jesse Eisenberg‘s “Flieshman is in Trouble.”
Now, Upper East Site reports that on March 28, “The Equalizer,” the crime drama starring Queen Latifah, took over parts of Yorkville to film scenes. Rented trailers for cast members and the director reportedly lined the Second Avenue bus lanes between 90th and 91st streets.
The production also filmed scenes by Asphalt Green on York Avenue, and then moved to a second filming location on East 91st street between York and First avenues. ……..
We hear
Mayor Eric Adams paid tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. at the 25th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit on March 21 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
“There is no greater ally in the fight for equality than you,” said Mayor Adams. He continued, “I have said it time and time again: social justice and the prosperity of New York City go hand in hand. We cannot have one without the other. My administration knows, we can, and we must do both.”……….
Nightlife impresario Omar Hernandez is back on the party scene. The King of supper clubs and restaurants recently opened Oh La La in La Golue on the Upper East Side. Aside from fine wine and tasty dining, the hot spot offers a musical show Thursdays through Saturdays, reports Guest of a Guest………
Sightings
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Scanavino on the set of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in Manhattan on March 23……
Naomi Watts at the Cinema Society screening of Infinite Storm in Manhattan on March 24…….
Lily Collins and husband Charlie McDowell having lunch in SoHo on March 23……
