The Jadafan: March 2006

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

'Matrix' Actress Shows Her Metal Side.

'Matrix' actress shows her metal side
Pinkett Smith's band brings rock

By Angie Fenton
afenton@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Jada Pinkett Smith and her band, Wicked Wisdom, rocked Jillian's last night — much to the surprise of some of her fans.

Best known for her role as "Niobe" in "The Matrix" sequels, Pinkett Smith commanded the microphone as part of the opening act of a four-band package that featured headliner Sevendust.

Her husband, actor Will Smith, slipped in a side door and remained in the shadows, where he stood — his ball cap tilted to one side — and head-banged to the heavy metal tunes.

Pinkett Smith — who goes by Jada Koren on stage — proved she's not playing at being a rocker. Backed by a superb lineup of musicians, she delivered powerful, honest lyrics and captured the audience's attention, keeping them in awe for the duration of a raucous 20-minute set.

"It's stunning and astonishing to see her up there," said Chad Polen, 27.

Polen, of Petersburg, Ind., first saw Wicked Wisdom in Cincinnati in early February.

"When people find out Jada's for real — she's doing what she loves, what she does best — Wicked Wisdom brings the people," he said.

The band also welcomes the people.

After the performance, Pinkett Smith — along with her lead guitarist Pocket; rhythm guitarist Cameron Graves; bass guitarist Rio; and founding member of the 1990s band Fishbone, Phillip Fisher, on drums — accepted hugs and handshakes, signed autographs and genuinely seemed to enjoy the interaction with fans.

Bosslady & Jada Pinkett Smith

"You're not supposed to separate yourself from your people," Fisher said.

As a celebrity who is often supposed to be inaccessible to the public, Pinkett Smith, 34, said Wicked Wisdom affords her the opportunity to inhabit an "accessible space. ... You have to find a way to connect with your audience. I can't create any other way."

The band is on the final leg of a tour to promote its debut album, which dropped late last month. Playing the River City was a good time, Pinkett Smith said, and she hopes to return.

"We won't be back for Derby — but we will be back."

Reporter Angie Fenton can be reached at (502) 582-7143.

For more info on Jada Pinkett Smith, visit www.thejadapages.com

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Watch Wicked Wisdom's Performance On Carson Daly

Watch Wicked Wisdom's Performance On Carson Daly

Jada Koren, AKA Jada Pinkett Smith
Click Here To View Wicked Wisdom Video
It's very large an may take a few minutes to load.
For more info on Jada Pinkett Smith, visit www.thejadapages.com

Monday, March 06, 2006

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LOOKS!

A palette of colors ruled the red carpet

Diana McKeon Charkalis, Staff Writer
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Queen, Jada Pinkett Smith
Colors taken from nature - flowers, birds and the earth - ruled the red carpet this year, with fashion trends all over the rainbow.
And in most cases, it worked.

Canary yellow isn't an easy color, but Michelle Williams managed to carry it off in a gown decked with a flattering ruffled V-neckline, accented by a 19th-century diamond fringe necklace from Fred Leighton.

Salma Hayek electrified in a vibrant blue gown, and Jennifer Lopez glowed in green. Jada Pinkett Smith was toned and buff in a bright blue strapless column gown by Roberto Cavalli.

Jessica Alba sparkled like Oscar himself in gold Versace and cited her unique regimen for fitting into an Oscar dress. "I exercise, drink water and eat dessert."

Several stars chose to go light, opting for various shades of cream.

These included Reese Witherspoon in a V-necked, sweeping gown, featuring rows of silver beads; Nicole Kidman in a strapless sheath adorned with elaborate decorative braid across the front; and Uma Thurman in a cap-sleeved, chiffon-skirted affair.

Presenter Naomi Watts joined in the ruffled look, wearing a one-shoulder soft pink Givenchy. She was at the Oscars to introduce Dolly Parton, who jokingly deemed herself the "Southern belle of the ball" as she made her way to the door of the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Parton was also pretty in pink in a gown designed by Robert Behar of Paris. She wore $2 million in diamonds from Fred Leighton.

Black was also back. Rachel Weisz was demure in a that shade from Narciso Rodriguez, and cited pregnancy hormones as the reason for her unusual sense of calm.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't even be able to speak right now," she told one interviewer.

Felicity

Huffman was also decked out in black, in a sweeping gown with a plunging neckline. She teared up and smeared her makeup when she viewed a clip of her "Desperate" co-stars wishing her luck. Jennifer Aniston was in a black tank gown by Rochas with a long train and a vintage platinum-and-diamond Bulgari necklace from the 1930s.

For some attendees, there was no need to accessorize with a bag. Amy Adams wore a chocolate Carolina Herrera gown with pockets. Sandra Bullock's elegant strapless navy blue gown from Angel Sanchez also had them, so that her date, Keanu Reeves, "wouldn't have to hold anything for her."

Charlize Theron was wrapped in a forest-green, handpainted gown with an enormous bow on one shoulder designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior.

Keira Knightley looked sultry in an eggplant-color Vera Wang gown made of taffeta. It was complimented by a necklace of emeralds, rubies and diamonds from the Bulgari archives and gold sandals with multiple ankle straps by Jimmy Choo. The one-shoulder form-fitting dress gave even Knightley herself pause.

"I can't actually walk," she noted. "But I can stand rather well."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ALSO:

Jada Pinkett Bans Will Smith From Dressing Room

Mr. Smith, Acting A Clown
Will Smith is banished from his actress wife Jada Pinkett's dressing room when she prepares for big awards shows because he's too much of a prankster. Jada reveals she can't risk her fun-loving husband ruining her look and insists he leaves her alone while she dresses.

Wearing Roberto Cavalli to the Oscars last night, Jada insisted Smith gave her a morning to herself.

Speaking on the red carpet last night, she said, "On days like this he has a separate dressing room because Will likes to clown and he likes to play too much and really this is a very serious situation, so we have to keep our rooms separate."

Starpulse News Blog

For more info on Jada Pinkett Smith, visit www.thejadapages.com