Actress Jada Pinkett-Smith was all smiles during a promotional tour for MAGIC MIKE XXL in Atlanta recently. Sonya’s Spotlight Publisher, Sonya Jenkins, got to participate in a press day interview and with Jada where she asked Jada to share her words of wisdom for young ladies struggling with self-esteem issues. Check out Jada’s answers in the videos below.
Warner Bros. hosted a “Ladies Night Out” advance screening of their new film, MAGIC MIKE XXL, in Atlanta as well.
The screening opened up with a choreographed dance from some hot & steamy looking guys, who welcomed the ladies in attendance. As the ladies were screaming with excitement, they were then hit with the big surprise of the night that one of the film’s stars, Jada Pinkett-Smith, was there to introduce the movie to the audience.
JADA PINKETT SMITH’S CHARACTER (ROME): Jada Pinkett-Smith is “Rome” a woman from Mike’s past.
Rome is now the impresario of a one-of-a-kind exotic entertainment palace, which takes them down a rabbit hole of possibilities that are nothing short of inspiring and brings a fresh focus to their performances. Likewise, Pinkett Smith, who had never been to a strip club before, says, “When I saw how exhilarating it was to be with other women in that environment and see how much joy they were getting from celebrating these beautiful men and really exploring that primal nature within us, it was an eye-opening experience for me.”
“Rome’s club is so far removed from anything they know, they come away from it realizing that they all have something unique to offer,” adds Adam Rodriguez.
Rome’s stable of talent includes Donald Glover as the romantic charmer Andre, with a gift for song; NFL Super Bowl Champ-turned-entertainer Michael Strahan as Augustus, who infuses raw athleticism into his act; and dancing phenom Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss as Malik, who displays his virtuosity in a solo before later joining Mike in a show-stopping performance that takes it to a whole new level. “This is three years later so you can’t go backwards,” tWitch emphasizes. “You can’t stay in the same place. You have to do more, and do it better, and every single guy in this movie committed to that and went for it.”
JADA PINKETT-SMITH’S BIO: JADA PINKETT SMITH (Rome) is a talented actress, producer, director, author, singer-songwriter and businesswoman.
Born and raised in Maryland, Pinkett Smith studied dance and acting at Baltimore School of the Arts and North Carolina School of the Arts. Her resourcefulness and determination led her to a variety of professional opportunities, most notably the series “A Different World,” which launched her acting career on television. In 1993, she landed her first feature film role, playing a single mother in “Menace II Society,” opposite Samuel L. Jackson. Next came a role in “Jason’s Lyric,” opposite Allen Payne, and “The Nutty Professor,” with Eddie Murphy, making her a household name in film.
In 1997, she married rapper and actor Will Smith, with whom she has two children: Jaden and Willow. She earned global praise for writing the children’s book Girls Hold Up The World, which landed on the New York Times Best Sellers list. The couple founded The Smith Family Foundation, dedicating their organization to urban inner-city youth and family support as a way to give back to the community.
Pinkett Smith’s acting career continued with “The Matrix: Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions.” In 2004, she won the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, USA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance – Female for her role in the video game “Enter The Matrix.” In 2005, she was featured in the animated movie “Madagascar” as the voice of Gloria, the hippo. She was also featured in the franchise’s two subsequent films, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” and “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.”
In 2008, as part of a star-studded collaboration, she joined forces with Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and Alicia Keys to produce the film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees. Also that year, she made her directorial and screenwriting debut with the film “The Human Contract.”
Pinkett Smith produced and starred in TNT medical drama series “HawthoRNe,” which earned her a 2010 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. She was an executive producer on the 2010 film “The Karate Kid,” which starred her son; and the 2014 documentary “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners,” about social activism icon Angela Davis. She also executive produced CBS syndicated talk show “The Queen Latifah Show.”
Along with her husband and record industry mogul Jay-Z, she also produced the Tony Award winning Broadway musical hit “Fela,” and the upcoming film remake of the 1982 musical “Annie.” Currently, Pinkett Smith plays Fish Mooney, a sexy gangster boss and nightclub owner, one of Batman’s arch nemesis in FOX’s hot new series, “Gotham.” Pinkett Smith contributes much of her free time to humanitarian efforts, helping to raise awareness on issues such as human trafficking. She also serves on the advisory board of Gucci’s empowerment initiative, Chime for Change, which campaigns for improved education, health and justice for women and girls worldwide.
“MAGIC MIKE XXL SYNOPSIS: “Magic Mike XXL” reunites Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias, stars of the 2012 worldwide hit “Magic Mike.” Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them.
On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
Joining the returning cast, in brand new roles, are Amber Heard (“The Rum Diary”), Donald Glover (“Community”), Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss (“Step Up Revolution”) and Michael Strahan (“Live with Kelly and Michael”), with Andie MacDowell (“Footloose”), Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games” films), and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Gotham”).
“MAGIC MIKE XXL” OPENS IN THEATERS – WEDNESDAY, JULY 1