Will Smith Reveals Why Willow Pulled Out Of Annie

If you were in Philly this past weekend and didn't stop by Temple University for " Real Talk with Sister Souljah and Will Smith," you definitely missed out. Will Smith joined Sister Souljah on stage as she promoted her new book, "A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story," and the two brought their raw, honest truth to the table as they talked candidly about love and relationships, as well as thesacrifices it takes to keep marriages together. It was truly amazing how transparent and honest Will was as he talked about his life, his family and his marriage, and there were so many priceless gems that were dropped throughout the program that could help others seek long-lasting relationships and marriages.

One thing that was very interesting was Will's perspective on his kids. He revealed that he had to learn over time to be more aware of their emotional needs and their own dreams versus the dreams that he may have had for his kids. Last week, news broke that Willow Smith would no longer play the lead role in the high-profile remake of "Annie," because she had become too old to play the part, but according to Will, that wasn't exactly the real story. Willow wasn't really interested in playing the part anymore because she wanted to focus on being a normal 12-year-old.

He said:

In the past 18 months, I have spent a lot of time focusing on the emotional aspect of my life and my family. In 2010, in one year, our family had the 'Karate Kid.' we had 'Whip my Hair,' we had Hawthorne, and at the end of the year, we did the Nobel Concert when Barack Obama won his Nobel Peace Prize. Don't be clapping yet, that wears you out.

The thing that had become very clear to me is the danger of a material world and focusing so hard on coming up with money or a house or ajob. You focus so hard on those things, and sometimes you can lose focus on why you are doing it in the first place. The only reason to do any of that is to have love.

Willow was supposed to be doing 'Annie,' we got Jay-Z to do the movie, got the studio to come in and Willow had such a difficult time on tour with 'Whip my Hair' and she said, 'Youknow Daddy, I don't think so' and I said, 'Baby, hold up! I said no,no,no, listen, you'll be in New York with all of your friends and Beyoncé will be there. You will be singing and dancing,' and she looked at me and said, 'Daddy, I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.'

I'm really learning through Willow the necessity that we have to snap ourselves backand refocus on the emotional needs of the people that we love. Someone's emotional needs can be very very different from your dreams and what you think they should be doing and where they are supposed to be.

What I took away from that was, when you are a parent who has a super talented kid, you will naturally want to push them to the limit of their abilities so that the world can see their talents. Sometimes you may have to take a step back and ask, "Is this my child's dream or is this my dream formy child?" I believe every parent may go through this at some point.

Unfortunately, it wasn't Willow's dream. It could have been something that she thought she wanted to do, but after being thrust into the spotlight and seeing the actual work she had to put in, she realized that she liked life far better when she was a normal 12-year-old.

T.I. And Tiny Have A Sex Tape

Can you imagine watching T.I. and Tiny getting down in a sex tape?

Last night, while the two were spotted hitting up the premiere of "Identity Theft", Tiny's new show Tiny Tonight debuted with a special Valentine's Day special. And Tiny didn't hold back as she talked about how she and T.I. could get tons of money if they ever had a chance to sell their homemade sex tape. According to Tiny, they've made a tape that was so nasty that even she could never watch it again.

[It was] real nasty. [ Claudia: On a scale of one to ten?] Fifteen. They were nasty. They were outside and everything. It was ridiculous. I had fun and the police got it [when they raided our house] and they probably had fun with it too.[...]I just wanted to see if it looks as good as it really is. Our sextape was like…we could probably get ten million.

Get it in then.

They've been together long enough to show a few couples some bedroom tricks.

Alicia Keys Called “Disrespectful”For Sitting While Singing the National Anthem

Folks just will not let a sista sing the National Anthem in peace…

Even though she sang the National Anthem and played the piano while doing it, Alicia Keys is the second person in just a few weeks to go through some scandal over the Star-Spangled Banner. Usually we stand as the Anthem is being sung, but obviously because she was playing a white grand piano, Alicia sat down the entire time and some people are saying that this was a sign of disrespect. Now, the video of Alicia singing has been blocked by the NFL, and some are saying it's because they don't want to hear any negativity about her sitting through the song.

An unnamed morning show producer told the Huffington Post :

"It was disrespectful. They had enough time and manpower to think of this before the performance. They could have had her stand at her piano keyboard and sing. To me and a lot of my friends, she sounded great but the visual was wrong."

Meanwhile, a publicist who has worked closely with Alicia says this is all ridiculous:

"Alicia is a proud American and was honored to perform at the event.. Her slow version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was her own arrangement, accompanying herself on the piano, adding 'living in the home of the brave'at the end of the song. It's silly to see how that was being disrespectful."

As of now, the NFL says that they blocked the video of the performance due to copyright issues. Although the song is public domain, because Alicia changed and copyrighted the arrangement she used for the Super Bowl, they have to wait before posting it on NFL.com.

The league says they plan on uploading the video soon.

Big deal or no?

Tony Parker Using Chris Breezy’s Brawl With Frank Ocean As Evidence In Nightclub Lawsuit

Chris Brown's volcanic temper — in particular his recent blowup with Frank Ocean — has ironically become NBA star Tony Parker's secret weapon in a lawsuit against a New York City nightclub … TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story … Parker has filed a $20 million lawsuit against W.i.P. nightclub, claiming it should never have let Brown in last June — the night his posse fought with Drake's people … a fight that ended with a shard of glass piercing Tony's cornea.

Tony has just filed new legal docs in his lawsuit, claiming Chris Brown's parking-spot fiasco last weekwith Frank Ocean is proof he's unfit to socialize in places where he's likely to fly off the handle.

You'll recall … the fight between team Brown and team Drake at W.i.P. erupted because both men were romantically linked to Rihanna.

And speaking of Rihanna … Tony's new legal docs make reference to her brutal beating … at the hands of one Chris Brown.

Tony believes there was more than enough evidenceon the table to deny Chris a table at W.i.P. on the violent night in question.

Tony might be reaching a lil' bit. We get that Chris has issues, but what club is REALLY gonna deny him entry if he wants to come in and spend money with them?

Good luck gettin' that gwap playa.

Ice Prince Denies Snubbing Glo Offer

Award-winning rapper, Ice prince, has dismissed media reports suggesting that he has turned down a lucrative endorsement deal with Globacom.

Online reports suggested over the weekend that the rapper, real name, Panshak Zamani, had snubbed a multi-million naira deal with the telecommunications giant.

"Chocolate City's management have moved quickly to deny the reports saying there is no truth in the matter."

"We were just as surprised as anybody when we read the news of Ice Prince "purportedly" turningdown "the offer" , especially since it isnt true," said Tobi Sanni-Daniel, Ice Prince's business manager.

"Globacom is a multi-national company with an excellent track record of delivering quality. Any individual would be proud and honoured to be associated with them.

"However to say that we have turned down an endorsement deal is false and completely baseless."

Ice Prince has recently been busy in the studio as he gears towards a highly anticipated album laterin the year. He has released a remix to the hugely successful 'Aboki' as well as released a video for 'Truth' which has already gone viral.

WizKid on Skirt

We've seen some few male American celebs on skirt.

That is, people like Kanye West, P.Diddy
among others. I guess It's now coming down to Nigerian too,cos Wizkid was spotted wearing it as well.

What do think about the new skirt trend for men? Would you love one too?

Nduka Obaigbena Set To Launch Two TV Stations

Publisher of THISDAY newspaper and Arise Magazine , Nduka Obaigbena, has announced the launch of two TV stations, Arise News and Arise 360 .

The stations will broadcast from four centres, Lagos, London, New York and Johannesburg and spread its reach to as far as Beijing and Rio de Janeiro, according to a statement issued yesterday.

Obaigbena who's known for making daring moves, and attempting the seeming impossible, says the stations will attract a global audience interested in emerging markets, developing countries and evolving politics and stressed the readiness to report news in the modern way to ensure a better acceptance.

Apart from Arise magazine and the many fashion shows in different cities, Arise TV is the controversial publisher's first major adventure, since the failed THISDAY South Africa project.

While Arise NEWS will detail economic, political and social happenings, ARISE 360 will provide entertainment and lifestyle content.

The stations will begin full operation in March,2013.

Waconzy Relocates To Lagos

Singer, Anyanwu Obinna Kelvin a.k.a. Waconzy has recently relocated to Lagos from his Port Harcourt base.

Fresh from a performance trip to Europe, the singer tells gistbank.blogspot.com he moved to Lagos because of the nature of his business and career.

'As the CEO of DV8 MEDIA, I also run a car dealing business as well, so it is only natural to have a permanent residence in Lagos where most of my transactions take place, so that I don't have to be frequently shuttling here and there' he told our reporter via telephone.

Waconzy's Lagos home is a duplex located in Razak Balogun Estate, Alpha Beach, Lekki, Lagos.

I’ll Always Be A Politician – Okey Bakassi

For some time now, the talented actor, writer, producer and stand-up comedian, Okey Bakassi has been off the big screen because, he took a break to serve his father land as the Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment Matters to the past Imo state Governor, Ikedi Ohakim.

The Imo State born actor is fully back on the trenches. He was spotted in recent new films and has also been participating actively in the affairs of the industry.

Speaking recently with HVP, the television and radio presenter said, he prefers showbiz to acting as that will give him what he needs in his career. " I will prefer to go more into showbiz because, that is what will give me what I need. I am not saying that I cannot act, I can act but it depends on the script. I cannot just jump into any script I see. It is not the quantity of movies you have acted, it is the quality that matters".

The Agricultural Engineer- turned-entertainer attributes his success in acting to his background.

Being somebody that grew up in the barracks, he was opportuned to meet different people from different tribes and he was able to learn how to adapt to such condition thereby building his acting career.

He also didn't deny his intentions of going into politics."Every man is a political animal. If the need to serve myfather land comes up again, I will not desist from doing that. I am still much willing to serve if the time comes again for me to do so".

The father of three applauded Nollywood's development and contributions in the country's economic development. He said the that the industry has tried so much by giving job to so many Nigerians who would have been jobless roaming the street.

He therefore assures his fans to expect more from him especially, more from showbiz.

Actress, Susan Peters Lambasts Bloggers

Multiple award winning Actress, Susan Peters was not a happy woman recently when she descended heavily on some bloggers who use their blogs to disparage the image of Nigerian celebrities .

The actress vented her anger while speaking to newsmen during the week.

According to her, Instead of using their blogs to celebrate the achievements of these celebrities, the bloggers are busy peddling negative stories about them. For the Idoma, Benue State born actress, these negative stories never do any good to the individual celebrities.

Susan's comment however, was not unconnected with the ugly experience she had few years ago when she engaged in a bitter war of words with a certain ace blogger who posted a picture of the actress posing with her new black berry porche on her blog.

Many of her fans who visited the blog rained abuses on the actress, calling her names, for posing with a 'mere Blackberry phone'. The issue did not go down well with the actress who in return lambasted the blogger, as she later apologised to her.

Also, the actress experienced a situation where an unknown person impersonated her by sending disturbing and insulting messages via a popular blog.

The impersonator reportedly replied to issues posted onthe blog in an insulting way and left the name and twitter address of the actress who people were very quick to attack after reading the reply posted in her name.

While she's yet to erase memories of that ugly incident from her heart, the actress is more concerned about what will help to boost the image of the celebrities, andnot drag it in the mud.

Nigerian Soccer Fan Dies Watching Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire Match

A missed shot from Victor Moses triggered the 'heart attack' of the Abeokuta based man.

The tension soaked quarter-final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Cote d' Ivoire on Sunday claimed the life a football fan in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.

A 40-year-old soccer fan suddenly slumped as hewatched the match with other spectators at the Promise Viewing Centre in Oke-Sokori area of thetown.

The victim was identified as Moshood Owolabi. He worked as an Engineer with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, Federal Ministry of Worksin Abeokuta.

He was said to have been immediately rushed to a nearby clinic, Success Medical Clinic, where he was given first aid before being referred to another hospital,First Alpha.

A witness traced the death to a missed shot fromVictorMoses which was stopped by an Ivorian defender.

Mr. Owolabi gave up the ghost when he was being rushed to First Alpha Hospital located in Kuforiji Olubi area of the town.

Speaking on the development, the Medical Director of Success Medical Clinic, Odede Kolawole, told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Owolabi was brought in dead to the clinic and that all efforts to revive him failed.

The Medical Director explained that the incident was as a result of excessive intake of carbon dioxide resulting to what he called anoxia (a totaldepletion in the level of oxygen).

"Immediately the he was brought, he was brought in dead. From what I learnt, I was told bya close friend that he had a fatal accident about two months ago and he was treated and managed.

"It is supposed to be a heart attack, because the way I saw him, he looked weak. He did not look agile and healthy, he looked like someone who had been sick for a very long period of time. He looked like someone who is managing his life and now facing a lot of crowd with shortage of oxygen in that area," the doctor said.

Viewing Centres are a common feature in Nigeriawhere people gather after paying a token, in a usually poorly ventilated room, to watch football matches and other programs. They have becomemore popular during the African Cup of Nations as none of the local television stations are televising the matches of the competition. Only Nigerians with access to satellite TV channel, Supersports, can view the matches. Millions who cannotafford the satellite TV, like Mr. Owolabi, gather at viewing centres to watch the games.

The doctor was not available
In his own account, the deceased's neighbour, who was also at the viewing center when the incident happened,Taiwo Adebayo, said the deceased suffered from a possible cardiac arrest adding that he started foaming when he fell on ground.

He, however, disagreed with the Medial Director of Success Medical Clinic insisting that Mr. Owolabi, was immediately rescued and taken to the clinic alive. He said the doctor was not available on getting to the hospital.

He said the victim later died on the way to another hospital where he was referred.

"We were together when the match started, when Moses played a shot on target and it was deflected off by another opposing player, it was that time that he fellon someone's laps as if he suffered from cardiac arrest and he started foaming.

"I grabbed him immediately and rushed him to the hospital. When we got to Success Hospital, the doctor was not available and the nurses triedgiving him first aid when the doctor was contacted, then he was still breathing," he said.

"When the doctor came, he checked him and immediately referred him to another hospital (First Alpha), on the way going, the gear of the vehicle got damaged and we secured a taxi after some minutes'.

"When we got the hospital, the doctor confirmed him dead. We went to his father at Kugba area inAbeokuta and the man gave a go ahead for his burial," the neighbour added.

Lamenting the loss, Mr. Adebayo described the deceased as a very jovial person who was alwaysnoticed wherever he went.

Shocked wife:

The deceased's widow, Tawakalitu Owolabi, was still in shock when PREMIUM TIMES visited her atthe family's flat in Abeokuta.

The bereaved described the incident as a dream addingthat her late husband was wandering around the area with a close friend few hours before the match started.

Cute Photo Of Shakira and Pique's Baby Boy

Check out a photo Shakira posted on twitter: Pique and their baby boy. The boy was named "Milan". Cute photo. Why dem no call the pikin "Barca"?

Tiwa Savage Celebrates 33rd Birthday Today

Mavin's First Lady, Tiwatope Savage popularly called Tiwa Savage is thanking God as she adds another year today.

The beautiful singer who rose to fame at a very early age was born in Lagos on the 5th of February 1980.
As an avid song writer since age 15, Tiwa Savage recorded with other giants in the musical world. She has helped to write songs for stars such as Britney Spears, Brian Kennedy and others. In addition, writing songs for her performance has been quite rewarding too. She has written political songs such as 'Middle Passage' which X-rays the struggles of three African men in a foreign country. Her songs depict the perfect example of a beautiful, naturally gifted song writer. She is set to make music not just a form of entertainment but a unifying force that brings people from different races together.

Wishing her many happy returns.

Majek Fashek Chained Down At His Home,After Running Mad.

Nigerian reggae star Majekodunmi Fasheke popularly called Majek Fashek has been chained to a spot in his Ipaja home in Lagos State Nigeria after he allegedly ran mad .

According to eyewitnesses in Majek Fashek's area, since his release by his alleged kidnappers in January of this year, the famous reggae singer has gone wild.
Area residents claim Majek Fashek's mental health problem has worsened.

He is often spotted playing his guitar while kids make mockery of him at bus stops in the area.

Because of his mental health issue, he has been chained to a spot at his home in order for facilitate recovery.

He was admitted to the hospital few weeks back over substance abuse problem but his condition didn't get any better.
See weed wahala. Igbo don finish for town eyah.

May God heal this man.

Goldie And Denrele Edun To Debut With Reality Show

BBA star Prezzo is in for a surprise as his girlfriend, Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey popularly called Goldie is about to be taken by a top Naija model, Denrele Edun .

Denrele Edun and Nigerian songstress Goldie are set to start a new reality TV show tagged Goldie and Denrele: True Friendship .

Denrele and Goldie' new TV show is set to debut by the end of February 2013.

The TV show is centered around the 2 best friends andhow they express support for each other daily.

The producer of Goldie and Denrele: True Friendship reality TV show is Tee Jay Star.
Some already produced episodes will begin airing on popular TV channels like Silverbird, TVC & BenTV UK come February ending.

So now that Denrele is about to woo Goldie, what will happen to Prezzo.

Wasiu Ayinde KWAM1 & Daughter Share Special Moment In Toronto, Canada (Photo)

Few days ago Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde aka KWAM1 was spotted as he shares special moment with his daughter in Toronto , Ontario, Canada .

The above picture was taken at his condominium near Square one in Mississauga.

His second wife, Wendy lives in the aforementioned city.

What a lovely picture!