Will Smith took fans back to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” days when he performed the show’s iconic theme song during a recent appearance on “The Graham Norton Show” in the UK.

At the request of Norton and audience participation, Smith rapped the entire song to a per-programmed beat, sending everyone into nostalgia for a moment.

The “Men in Black 3″ star — who is currently on a worldwide promotional tour for the movie franchise and made headlines this week after he smacked a reporter who tried to kiss him — spoke about how much of an important role the classic sitcom played in his life.

“Listen, every country in the world, that is the thing that I am most known for. No matter how big the movies get, it’s just ‘Fresh Prince’ everywhere … As long as they’re shouting ‘Will!’ it’s cool,” he joked.

“It is so funny that that many people recognize that theme song,” Smith continued. “There’s something about TV that’s different than movies or music. There’s something about television that … it’s like, you’re in your underwear at the house, you don’t get dressed up to go, it’s like people come into your house. Television really attaches you to people in a way that is extremely powerful, and it’s humbling. Thank you.”

[HuffPo]

Just days after Will Smith showed his support for gay marriage, the 43-year-old actor ran into his own personal encounter of “guy-on-guy” action.

At the Moscow premiere of his new film “Men in Black 3″ last Friday, Will was greeted on the red carpet by an Ukrainian reporter who at first gave him a friendly hug … but then tried to kiss him on the lips!

After realizing what had happened, Will pushed the guy back saying, “What the hell is your problem, man?” and then went on to smack the reporter right in his face. (Ouch!)

Everyone present appeared to be shocked as Will told onlookers, “He’s lucky I didn’t sucker-punch him … Oh, sorry, I said that on camera.”

According to TMZ, the Ukranian reporter who tried to kiss Will is known in Europe for kissing and showing affection to celebrities. But Will wasn’t having that!

Peep the footage of the incident below:

That guy is lucky Jaden wasn’t there….he might have karate kicked that azz!

[TMZ]

With rumors swirling around that their marriage is on the rocks, Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith were spotted enjoying each other’s company as they hung out with their two young kids Willow and Jaden Smith at the Sixers-Heat game in Philadelphia Friday (Mar 16).

The couple — who have been married since 1997 — reportedly arrived around halftime, and were met with a round of applause.

Attendees of the game say they even saw the pair kissing courtside, and at one point, Will and Jada showed up on the Jumbotron’s famous kiss cam.

“They were having a good time,” a source told People. “Will and Jada were introduced to the crowd to a loud cheer. She affectionately put her head on his shoulder and he affectionately touched her as they smiled.”

More photos of the Smith family hanging out at the Sixers-Heat game are below:

All the rumors about Jada and Will splitting up can finally come to rest. Early this morning, Jada released a Valentine’s Day track titled “Burn” in dedication of her hubby.

She also wrote a note to accompany the song. Check them both out below:

With the major losses we have experienced in the last few weeks…

We should remember…

Our lives are worth living fully.

Therefore…

Our risks are worthy.
Our mistakes are worthy.
Our traumas are worthy as well.
The very paths we are told not to
tread are the paths that hold the
keys to our deepest understanding of
love for our lives and ourselves.

Self love is the gateway to truly loving
another…deeply

We were born to be loved and to love…
fiercely.

Will,
I love you.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
This is for you.

[Spotted @ Necole Bitchie]

Simon Cowell is unrolling plans to start an all-new talent competition series…but this time he’ll be enlisting the help of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.

According to reports, Cowell’s Syco Entertainment is partnering with the Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television to develop a show that searches for the World’s Greatest DJ.

“We have been working on this show for over a year and we wanted to partner with the right people. As soon as I met Jada and Miguel from Overbrook, I knew they would be our ideal partners. DJ’s are the new rock stars, it feels like the right time to make this show,” Cowell told Deadline.

Jada Pinkett-Smith also seems to be just as excited as Cowell to be launching the show. “This show will comb the world to find a new breed of talent. I am happy to be creating it alongside Simon Cowell,” she said.

An announcement on the show’s U.S. broadcast carrier will be made soon.

“X Factor” wasn’t half bad so we wonder how this will turn out!

Remember the first Aunt Vivian on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?” Well….it appears she isn’t the biggest Will Smith fan in the world!

The original cast of the show recently got together for a reunion dinner and neither her, nor the second Aunt Viv, for that matter, were in attendance.

We don’t know exactly why the second aunt Vivian (real name: Janet Hubert) was unable to make it, but the first one made it clear that Will Smith was and still “is” the problem.

The cast of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (minus either of the Aunt Vivs and the butler Geoffrey) reunited on Christmas Day, according to this photo Will Smith posted to his Facebook page.

“There will never be a reunion … as I will never do anything with an a**hole like Will Smith,” Janet Hubert told TMZ.

She didn’t stop there though. “He is still an egomaniac and has not grown up. This constant reunion thing will never ever happen in my lifetime unless there is an apology, which he doesn’t know the word,” Hubert continued.

According to TMZ, Hubert has said in the past she believes Smith is to blame for her departure in the middle of the show’s run, claiming he turned on her because she wouldn’t kiss his butt.

Will however is dismissing the claims, and told an Atlanta radio station that Hubert’s attitude is the reason she lost her job.

“[Hubert] said once, ‘I’ve been in the business for 10 years and this snotty-nosed punk comes along and gets a show.’ No matter what, to her I’m just the AntiChrist,” he said.

We absolutely love Will around these here parts … so this crazy lady can kick rocks for all we care!

What divorce???

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are apparently all smiles again after being plagued with divorce/separation rumors earlier this year.

And guess what? Turns out….the couple’s superstar children — Willow and Jaden Smith — played a major factor!

According to sources, Will and Jada disagreed on how to handle Jaden and Willow’s careers, which ultimately led to a few marital issues.

Apparently….Will wanted to push the kids to full-blow stardom, while Jada was more focused on easing them into things.

But luckily for them (and the kids)….they got past their “little rift,” and things are back to the norm.

Glad all that mess is over now…

[TMZ]

A Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith insider tells celebrity rumor busters Gossip Cop that rumors of an impending divorce between the Hollywood couple is “not true.”

“It’s over!” for Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, reports Star magazine, recycling a tabloid rumor from August that claimed the couple was ending their 14-year marriage.

The mag predicts the Smiths will file divorce papers in the near future, quoting a so-called “source” as saying, “They’ve been faking it for a long time and they don’t want to live a lie anymore.”

Despite the fact that the pair looked perfectly happy partying with David Guetta and his wife in Miami last week, Star‘s purported insider insists “they’re done” and have been “living and sleeping separately” for some time now.

Smith and Pinkett have supposedly refrained from going public with their split because “they worry divorce could hurt their careers,” explains the tabloid’s source.

That’s ironic, considering it was Star who initially claimed the couple were “faking” their breakup just to boost ratings for Pinkett’s TV show “HawthoRNe.”

Regardless, the mag now says the split rumors in August were, in fact, true and quote another so-called “source” who explains, “They’ve been trying to work through it, but things came to a head in early November, when they got into a huge knock-down, drag-out fight.”

Since then, says the source, Smith and Pinkett have barely spoken, and “are living separate lives.”

That’s, of course, if you don’t count them speaking and living together last week in Miami.

Anyway, an impeccable Smith insider tells Gossip Cop plainly, “It is not true.”

The new “Men in Black III” trailer has finally arrived!

It was 15 years ago that the original “Men in Black“, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, hit theaters.

Not only did the film have a super awesome theme song and set a precedent for cool, but it was also a box office smash and became a prevalent part of pop culture. And it made sense that Hollywood would jump at the chance to release a sequel 5 years later, known as “Men in Black II.”

Now, nearly a decade after MIB 2′s release, the film franchise’s third installment, ‘Men in Black III‘ is set to be released, featuring Smith and Jones, yet again, as well as Josh Brolin (who plays a younger version of Jones), Emma Thompson, Bill Hader and Nicole Scherzinger.

But can the film live up to the hype surrounding it? Check out the trailer below and judge for yourself!

Pallbearers help carry the casket of rapper Heavy D at his funeral service at Grace Baptist Church on November 18, 2011 in Mount Vernon, New York.

Heavy D, who died at age 44 in Los Angeles from what his family said was complications from pneumonia, was laid to rest in a star studded funeral service in his hometown of Mount Vernon, New York on Friday (Nov 18).

A-List stars like like Jay-Z, Will and Jada Smith, Diddy, Queen Latifah, John Legend, Usher, Samuel L. Jackson and many more were all in attendance at the rap legend’s two-and-a-half hour funeral service at Grace Baptist Church, which was reportedly filled to capacity.

A mourner holds the program for Heavy D's funeral service at Grace Baptist Church on November 18, 2011 in Mount Vernon, New York.

Heavy D’s 11-year-old daughter Xea Myers spoke briefly during the service, telling the mourning attendees that her father was “still here, not in the flesh, but in the spirit.”

Diddy also talked about his late friend, including how he helped give him his start in the music industry, and how their longtime friendship continued up until Heavy D’s death.

“He became my friend. He became my brother, and I’m not talking about friend-brother like we cavalierly use the word, I’m talking about a real friend, a real brother,” Diddy said. “Somebody I shared my dreams and my secrets with, somebody that’s been there for me at my lowest point, my darkest hour when nobody wanted to be beside me.”

President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama even offered a few words of encouragement to Heavy D’s family in the form of a note, which was read aloud by Rev. Al Sharpton:

“We extend our heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. He will be remembered for his infectious optimism and many contributions to American music. Please know that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.”

A memorial fund has been set up to help financially aid Heavy D’s young daughter Xea. Details can be found on the website: http://rememberheavyd.com

We can all finally put the rumors of Marc Anthony having an affair with Jada Pinkett-Smith to rest, based on these phtoos of Marc Anthony and Will Smith hanging out together earlier this week at a football game.

According to TMZ, Marc invited Will out to help him celebrate his 43rd birthday and watch the Miami Dolphins game Monday night (Sep 12) in his luxury box at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

Although Will’s wife Jada wasn’t there, he and Marc pair were joined by Dwyane Wade, Fergie (and her husband Josh Duhamel), Pitbull, and Sean Kingston as they watched the Dolphins take on the New England Patriots.

Check out the pics below!

Usually when celebs are faced with break-up rumors, they deny, deny, deny, and them BAM … they part ways, just as everyone suspected. But we sure do hope this isn’t the case with favourite Hollywood heavyweight couple Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.

According to reports, the couple are on the verge of a split as Jada allegedly had an affair with singer/actor Marc Anthony after they met during his short stint on her show “Hawthorne.” However, Jada’s rep has since quickly denied the rumors via a brief statement which said, “Everything about the Marc Anthony story is completely false.”

The couple also released a joint statement earlier in the week, squashing rumors that their marriage is on the rocks. “Although we are reluctant to respond to these types of press reports, the rumors circulating about our relationship are completely false. We are still together, and our marriage is intact,” the statement read.

So in an effort to further show they are not on the verge of anything, the couple were spotted in Malibu this week happily shopping it up and smiling from ear to ear.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it rumor mill!

More pics of the happy couple are below:

The Internet was abuzz earlier today with rumors swirling that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith had separated after over a decade of marriage, but now the Hollywood power couple have released a joint-statement putting an end to the nonsense.

“Although we are reluctant to respond to these types of press reports, the rumors circulating about our relationship are completely false,”Will and Jada’s statement read. “We are still together, and our marriage is intact.”

Will and Jada have been married for 13 years and have 2 very famous children together: Jaden and Willow Smith.

Will, who is no stranger to divorce, also has an older son (Trey) with his first wife Sheree Zampino.

Good news for fans of Will Smith, the rapper (formerly known as The Fresh Prince)!

According to producer La Mar “Mars” Edwards, the acting powerhouse wants to return to the rap scene, and has been working with Edwards and his collective of producers/musicians, 1500 or Nothin, to make a comeback album.

“We’re working on Tip, we’re working on the High School movie with Snoop and Wiz Khalifa. We’re working on Will Smith, bringing him back. That’s actually him on the other line right now. Snoop’s daughter, we just put out her first single. We’re doing the whole album. Mario wants me to do a mixtape with him, we’re working on that. I’m working on Ashanti. We’re just working on as much as possible.”

SOURCE

Will you be checking for Will Smith’s comeback album?

The Smith family — one of the coolest Hollywood families in the world — recently opened the doors to their big, beautiful Malibu home, for the first time EVER!

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, along with their 3 children — Willow (10), Jaden (13) and Trey (18, from Will’s previous marriage) — gave Architectural Digest Magazine a grand tour of their massive home, located in the upscale Calabasas, California area.

The sprawling estate boasts 9 bedrooms, a recording studio (where Willow recorded her hit single “Whip My Hair”), a lake, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, and more, all of which makes it look more like a luxury resort than a private residence.

Will says his family’s 25,000 square foot home, which took 7 years to build and perfect, was designed with “dead ends… to create an infinite cycle that represented what Jada and I hoped for our love.”

Also speaking on the home was Jada, who said: “For Will and me this home was always a spiritual endeavour. We’re very earthy, organic people. We wanted to create a family retreat, something made by hand and as natural as possible, something that ties back to the land. Whatever it becomes, the craftsmanship will always represent our union and the love of our family.”

Check out the pics of the home below:

For more on the Smith family’s home, pick up the September issue of AD Magazine after it hits newsstands August 9th!

Willow Smith recently released a set of black and white photos of her family spending time together in their downtime.

Check out the stunning images of the entire Smith family, including parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, big brother Trey and the young stars Willow and Jaden Smith below:

The Smith family (minus mama Jada Pinkett Smith and big brother Tre Smith) were seen having a family day out on the sandy beaches of Hawaii Thursday afternoon (Jul 7).

10-year-old Willow Smith was also spotted on the beach hanging out with her dad Will Smith and older brother Jaden Smith, whose 13th birthday was the very next day (Fri. Jul 8).

More pics of the Smiths hanging out on the beach in Hawaii below:

Lil Wayne poses with his 12-year-old daughter Reginae Carter in the audience at the 2011 BET Awards.

Other famous faces spotted in the crowd of the 11th annual ceremony included Nelly & Ashanti, Nicki Minaj, Diddy, the entire Smith family (Jaden, Willow, Will and Jada), Keri Hilson, Laz Alonso, Big Sean, Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber and plenty more.

Check out 20+ pics below:

Willow and Jaden Smith made their parents proud last night at the 2011 BET Awards when they both “tied” to win the show’s “Youngstar’s Award.”

Check out more photos (along with the video footage of them accepting their award) below:

Something about this has “BS” written all over it … but hey who really cares? We all love the Smith kids!

While filming on the set of the new “Men in Black 3″ movie, Will Smith got a special visit from his good friend and business partner Jay-Z. The Hip-Hop titan, who has worked with Smith previously in the broadway production “Fela!” and also manages his daughter Willow Smith’s music career, was seen laughing and joking with the movie star as he filmed scenes in New York City’s Battery Park.

Will Smith recently announced that he is bringing Jay-Z along to help his production company Overbrook Entertainment develop and produce films. It’s also rumored that the pair will also work together on the upcoming revamped version of “Annie,” which will star Willow Smith in the title role.

One more pic of the Jigga man and the man who used to “Get Jiggy With It” below:

No one says “goodbye” like Oprah!

A bunch of the media mogul’s most famous friends, including Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys and many more packed into the United Center in Chicago for “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular,” a star-studded send-off for the legendary talk show host.

Beyonce kicked off the festivities with a performance of her new single “Run the World (Girls),” which was followed by a poem recital from Maya Angelou (accompanied by Alicia Keys on the piano), a performance from music legend Aretha Franklin, an appearance from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, a performance from Usher and more. The event also featured appearances form many other celebrities, including Tyler Perry, Tom Hanks, Maria Shriver (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s estranged wife), Simon Cowell, Patti Labelle, Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes and tons more.

“Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” will air on television today (May 23) and tomorrow (May 24).

Check out tons of pics, as well as video footage of Beyonce’s performance, below:

Last week we reported that actor Will Smith got on the wrong side of the residents of Manhattan’s SoHo district as he had his super huge $2 million “mega trailer” parked on the street while filming in the city for his upcoming movie “Men in Black III.”

Fast forward to now and the 1,1150 sq. ft trailer has been given the heave-ho.

TMZ.com reports:

Smith’s double-decker luxury trailer was plonked down in the middle of a tiny street in Soho while the actor shot “Men in Black III” — but after several residents complained it was blocking traffic, giving off fumes, and screwing up local businesses … the studio towed it to a nearby parking lot.

City Residents: 1. Will Smith: 0. (At least in this case!)

Will Smith is getting on his new Soho, NYC neighbors’ last nerves!

According to recent reports, Smith is currently filming “Men in Black III” in the city and has parked his $2 million mega trailer in the trendy Manhattan neighborhood, along with another 55-foot long trailer he uses as a gym!

The specially designed $9,000 a week trailer, nicknamed “The Heat,” is 1,150 square feet, which is larger than most 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom New York apartments. The massive “mobile apartment” includes a lounge with a bar, a movie room with a 100-inch screen, marble floors throughout and offices for his assistants and writing staff, as well as a large master bedroom and an all-granite bathroom.

It measures about 53 feet long, has 22 wheels and weighs in at around 30 tons. And get this: with the push of a button, the mobile unit can double its height in less than 30 seconds!

And not only that, but in addition to his mobile apartment, the actor is also renting a 5-bedroom, 6 and a half bathroom apartment located in the very same neighborhood for around $25,000 per month.

Hey, they don’t call him Big Willy for nothing!

Award winning actor Will Smith was spotted filming on location for “Men in Black 3″on the streets of Brooklyn, New York City Monday afternoon (May 2). The highly anticipated film is due in theaters about a year from now (May 25th 2012).

Pics of Will Smith on the set are below:

Author is another title that sexy actor and R&B singer Tyrese Gibson can now add to his list of titles.

The “Transformers” actor has recently penned a self help booked titled “How To Get Out of Your Own Way,” where he draws on his own life experiences to help steer the reader into the right direction – and he thanks his mentor Will Smith for believing in him more than he believed in himself.

In a recent phone chat with our buddies over at PopEater.com, Tyrese explaned how Will helped shape and change his life. Check out the excerpts below:

Will Smith really changed your life?
One would easily assume that once you become an actor you start hanging out with other actors, especially those more prominent and successful and that would be the reason to hang out with them. But what ended up being revealed was he changed my views and perspectives on life and my surroundings and my characteristics. I was completely caught off guard. It’d be like if you showed up for a main course meal and you ended up getting desert and appetizers and all this other stuff.

Is he your mentor?
He is every bit my mentor and friend. He always makes time to talk about whatever I’m thinking about or what I can’t figure out on my own. I can’t really compare him to anybody else in my life. He believes in me more than I believe in myself. It created another level of belief in myself that wasn’t there before.

Can you share some of his bits of wisdom?
The first thing he dropped on me was you can often tell how far your life and career will go based on the five people you spend the most time with so I had to really sit back and really marinate on that. So I said, ‘So if I have a problem with my life I should have a problem with the people in my life.’ He was like, ‘Yes, exactly.’ So that’s when the mission began to better my surroundings and keep everybody around me sharp because it’s very easy to get lackadaisical and have people that work with you and for you to just go through the motions.

Source

It’s good to know that Black Hollywood looks out for each other!

Hollywood icon Will Smith was spotted shooting a scene for his upcoming “Men In Black III” flick in New York Thursday afternoon (Apr 7). Smith suited up once again in his trademark black-and-white tux and walked the streets of Queens, New York as fans and extras watched on.

In the film, Will’s character returns to 1969 and meets up with famous figures of the past. Tommy Lee Jones is also reprising his role as Agent K, and Josh Brolin will play a younger version of him when they travel back in time!

MiB3 is scheduled to hit the big screen in 3D in May of 2012. Check out a few pics of Will Smith on the set below:

Looks like there is no stopping the multi-talented Smith family.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Hollywood heavyweight Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith are set to star alongside each other in an upcoming untitled sci-fi movie to be directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The announcement was confirmed by Columbia Pictures president, Doug Belgrad on Monday.

Speaking on the project, Belgrad said:

“Night is an outstanding filmmaker who has a tremendous vision for this science-fiction adventure story and we couldn’t be more excited to be working again with Jaden after our experiences on The Pursuit of Happyness and The Karate Kid. We’re thrilled to have the two of them together on this project.”

The film is set 1,000 years into the future, and centers on a young boy who navigates an abandoned (and sometimes scary) Earth in order to save himself and his estranged father after their ship crashes.

This won’t be the first time that the Smith men have co-starred in a film together. They both appeared in the hit movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” in 2006.

The stars shined bright at the premiere of Justin Bieber‘s 3D documentary “Never Say Never” Tuesday night (Feb. 8) in Los Angeles. Chris Brown, Usher (who brought his two sons), Toni Braxton, The Smith Family (Will, Jada, Jaden & Willow), Will.i.am, Miley Cyrus and many more all walked the purple carpet before making their way into the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live to catch the premiere.

Meanwhile, Justin Bieber was questioned on the carpet about his rumored girlfriend Selena Gomez (who was on hand for the premiere), and also talked more about his goals in starting an acting career.

Check out the pics and video footage below (and when you continue reading)!!

It’s official. First, big brother Jaden Smith got his chance to star in a big movie remake (“Karate Kid”), and now his little sis Willow Smith is getting her turn!

The 11-year-old has officially signed on to star in a remake of the musical “Annie.” The movie will be developed by Sony Pictures and will be produced by her parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith‘s production company Overbrook Entertainment. As rumored, rapper Jay-Z is a part of the project as well.

“The time is right to bring back ‘Annie’ to the big screen. Of course, we’re true believers in Willow’s talent and believe she will be perfect in this role,” Columbia Pictures President Doug Belgrad told The Hollywood Reporter.

The Smiths teamed up with Jay-Z and a few other Overbrook partners once before to co-produce the award winning Broadway play “Fela!,” which earned 11 Tony Award nominations last year.

“The Overbrook Entertainment family and I have a unified vision. We’ve already produced a Tony Award winning play and we’re developing a true superstar in Willow,” Jay-Z said in a statement.

Willow Smith is also signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. And though it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, we have a feeling Jay and Roc Nation will have something to do with the soundtrack for the film.

Look-out Jaden, your little sister is bringing on some serious competition!

What do you think?

Sprint is the very first carrier to introduce 4G technology to the cell phone market, revolutionizing the mobile space and changing the way we use cellular technology. And in honor of that, we have selected 5 influential Hollywood superstars who have changed the industry and are still changing it as we speak! Continue reading to see who they are and to learn more about Sprint’s innovative new 4G technology…

BEYONCE » Beyonce Knowles has been in the game going strong since she was just 16 years old as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, one of the world’s most successful girl groups of our time. And now at 29, Beyonce (dubbed the “Queen of Pop” by Billboard this year) has really become a force to reckon with. With her 16 Grammy awards (13 solo), 7 starring movie roles, successful clothing line and multiple major endorsement deals (Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, L’Oreal, etc.), there is hardly anyone in the industry right now who can touch her. Oh yeah, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s married to Jay-Z, one of the hottest and most influential rappers in the game.

WILL SMITH » He started out as a rapper and the star of the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and went on to become one of the most successful and highest paid actors in the world. Will Smith‘s film career kicked off with the 1996 Blockbuster “Independence Day” and ever since then, his career has done nothing but steadily go up. A year later in 1997, he married actress Jada Pinkett and together they have two children: Jaden and Willow, who at just 12 and 9 years old respectively, are already making their own names for themselves (Jaden stars in the “Karate Kid” remake and little Willow just stunned the industry with her debut single “Whip My Hair”). So that alone makes Will pretty darned influential if you ask us.

LADY GAGA » Born Stefani Germanotta, Lady Gaga has been one of the most prominent figures in the music industry ever since being discovered by Akon back in 2007. In just 3 short years, Lady Gaga has managed to put out 2 multi-platinum, chart-topping, worldly renown albums and also brought in over $200 million in less than a year with her “Monster Ball” World Tour (her first solo tour). And not to mention, whenever she says something outrageous or slabs a few pounds of meat on herself, she always gives us something else to talk about.

LIL WAYNE » Often being labeled as the “Best Rapper Alive,” Dwayne Carter (aka Lil Wayne) has done more than enough to make his presence in the industry known. From countless mixtapes to an innumerable amount of guest features, the 26-year-old rapper always finds a way to sure his voice never goes unheard. Even behind bars, Weezy has managed to keep his brand alive by introducing and carefully planting his Young Money protegees in the industry, most notably Drake and Nicki Minaj (who are both holding the fort pretty well as their boss serves his bid in prison).

JUSTIN BIEBER » At just 16 years old, this kid has already made a pretty good household name for himself. We’re almost positive if you asked, your grandmother knows who Justin Bieber is which just goes to show how widespread Bieber fever is. Discovered on YouTube by Usher, the Biebster has found a way to become the music industry’s baby brother. Everybody, and we literally mean EVERYBODY, loves him to death.

America’s first 4G phone is also the first to deliver download speeds up to 10x faster than 3G and be a mobile hotspot for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices. Not to mention front and rear-facing cameras and the ability to stream live video to the Web. And you get access to over 65,000 apps you’ve come to expect from an Android. So the only question is, what will you do first with EVO? sprint.com/firsts

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sprint via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sprint.

Rapper B.o.B. headlined Perez Hilton‘s “One Night in Chicago” concert at the Hard Rock Hotel last Thursday evening (Aug 5) in Chicago, IL.

R&B singer Usher hung out with CNN anchor Don Lemon as he and his New Look Foundation hosted a “Powered by Service Day” Thursday in Atlanta.

Super model Iman helped celebrate ESSENCE Magazine’s 40th Anniversary by appearing on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City.

On the other side of the world in Tokyo, Japan, Jaden Smith and his family, including his parents Will & Jada Pinkett Smith and his little sister Willow, along with his on-screen co-star Jackie Chan, waved to the press and fans at the Japanese premiere of “The Karate Kid” at Roppongi Hills Arena.

And young Pop star Justin Bieber met up with band camp students at Seminole High School in Sanford, FL as to help announce Best Buy and the Grammy Foundation’s donation to the Seminole High music program. He even played a few tunes a capella (with the help of his guitar) for the students.

While in Paris, France for big brother Jaden Smith‘s Karate kid premiere, Willow Smith took time out to do a photo shoot at the Trocadero fountain. Parents Will and Jada supervised the shoot and also posed for pictures with a pair of newlyweds in the area. How nice!

Meanwhile, nine-year-old Willow is also becoming quite the fashionista! Not only are people talking about her haircut, but now she’s rocking silver paint on the outside of her right ear, which is sure to set up a new trend (or two).

Peep a few pics of Willow on the set of her new Parisian photo below…

Actor Jaden Smith brought his parents Will & Jada Pinkett Smith along with him as he and Jackie Chan promoted their new movie “The Karate Kid” over on the other side of the world in Fredrikstad, Norway Friday afternoon (Jul 23). Jaden’s stylish little sister Willow usually tags along however the young actress decided to miss out on this premiere for whatever reason (she probably couldn’t decide on an outfit to wear! LOL).

The Smith family poses with actor Jackie Chan as they arrive at the UK film premiere of Jackie and Jaden Smith‘s new film “The Karate Kid” at Odeon Leicester Square Thursday afternoon (Jul 15) in London, England.

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and Willow Smith all showed up to support Jaden at the London premiere of his highly successful movie, which has reportedly grossed over $141 million dollars in the U.S. and over $166 million dollars worldwide. It’s being said that Sony Pictures is already working on the film’s sequel.

Check out a few pictures of the Smith family and Jackie Chan at the U.K. “Karate Kid” film premiere in London below…

Child star Jaden Smith is on his way to greatness! Not only is he a mini version of his father Will Smith, already starring in major box office films at the age of 11, but he’s a damn good martial arts fighter as well! In a recent interview, actor Jackie Chan spoke on Jaden’s skill and dedication to the arts after working with him during training for their new film “The Karate Kid” last summer:

“After the movie, I told Will, ‘Don’t waste his talent; he’s just so good.’ He’s (Jaden) still training every day.”

Well apparently after making $56 million the first week with the “Karate Kid” and getting Jackie Chan’s co-sign, Jaden will now be heading to Hong Kong for two months to finish off his martial arts studies. However he won’t be going alone!

“Now he’s asking to send him to Hong Kong for two months so he can continue his training. So I’ll probably go to Hong Kong for two months and do that.” Jada Pinkett-Smith told press. “I’ll take Willow because she’s learning Mandarin. She loves to learn Mandarin.”

Keep up the good work Jaden!! We know you’re making your parents proud. The kid is bringing in some big bucks…

TV exec. Nick Cannon and rapper Common kicked it at the Integration vs. Brand Interruption event presented by Digitas at the Cannes Advertising Festival in Cannes, France yesterday (Tues. Jun 22).

Singer Shakira launched her new fragrance “S By Shakira” in Madrid, Spain.

Jessica Simpson hung out with TV personality AJ Calloway at the sneak peak of the Jessica Simpson Jeanswear Showroom in New York City.

Taylor Swift was excited to see singer Faith Hill on the red carpet of the Nashville Flood Relief Concert in Tennessee.

Taylor also chatted it up with Miley Cyrus backstage at the concert…

R&B singer John Legend performed Monday night (Jun 21) in Los Angeles at the “Waiting for Superman” movie screening at the Regal Cinemas LA Live Stadium.

Tori Spelling hosted a signing in Los Angeles for her new book “Uncharted TerriTORI” and brought along the family: her husband Dean McDermott, their son Liam Aaron McDermott and their daughter Stella Doreen McDermott.

Estelle and Sean Paul posed for pics together on the red carpet of Malibu Rum’s First Day of Summer Kick Off at the Tribeca Rooftop in NYC.

Sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian hit up the 17th anniversary party for Vegas Magazine at the Surrender Nightclub at Encore Las Vegas Saturday night (Jun 19).

And actors Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith and Will Smith attended the premiere of “The Karate Kid” in Shanghai, China Friday (Jun 18.)

Looks like Jay-Z, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett-Smith have achieved some success together!

The entertainment stars recently teamed up and produced a Broadway musical, “Fela!”, which ended up getting nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won 3 of the highly respected trophies during last night’s ceremony. The three categories in which “Fela!” won in were for “Best Sound Design of a Musical”, “Best Choreography” and “Best Costume Design of a Musical.”

“Fela!” focuses on the life and times of Nigerian composer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who battled against over 1,000 soldiers trying to stop his public performances at the legendary Lagos nightclub The Shrine.

Check out a few pictures of Will, Jada, Jay-Z & Jay’s wife Beyonce at the 64th Annual Tony Awards Sunday (Jun 13) at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall below…

Actors Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan posed for pics with the original “Karate Kid” actor Ralph Macchio on the red carpet of the premiere of the “Karate Kid” remake at the Mann Village Theater Monday (Jun 7) in Westwood, CA.

Jaden’s family, his parents Will & Jada Smith, his little sister Willow Smith and his older brother Trey Smith, also tagged along. Other celebs spotted on the red carpet of the “Karate Kid” were Ciara, Quenton Aaron (“The Blindside”), Taraji P. Henson, Quincy Jones, Regina King and more.

Check out 10+ pictures of celebs at the “Karate Kid” premiere in Hollywood below…

Continuing the promotional rounds for his new movie “The Karate Kid,” actor Jaden Smith brought along his pops, actor Will Smith, as he and his co-star Jackie Chan attended a festival and screening for their new film at AMC River East 21 theater Wednesday afternoon (May 26) in Chicago.

The remake of the popular 1984 flick is due to hit theaters a week from today (Thurs. Jun 3). A few pics of Jaden, Will and Jackie at the “Karate Kid” festival/screening in Chicago can be found below…

Actor Jaden Smith hung out with his dad, actor Will Smith, and his co-star, Jackie Chan, at the premiere of Columbia Pictures’ latest film release “The Karate Kid” at Regal South Beach Monday (May 24) in Miami.

Jaden stars as “Dre Parker” in the new movie, which is a remake of the 1984 film of the same name and hits theaters nationwide next Thursday (Jun 3). Check out a few pics of Jaden, Will and Jackie at the “Karate Kid” premiere in Miami below…

Hollywood power couples Beyonce & Jay-Z and Will Smith & Jada Pinkett-Smith went on a double date last night (Thurs. May 20) and attended the post-theater reception celebrating 11 Tony Awards Nominations for their theater production “FELA!” at the Palm West in New York City.

“Fela!” is a broadway musical about the life and times of a Nigerian musician named Fela Kuti and it’s funded and produced by Will, Jada and Jay-Z.

Check out a few pictures of Bey, Jay, Will and Jada, along with director/choreographer Bill T. Jones at the event below…

Actor Will Smith and his wife actress Jada Pinkett Smith attended the TNT/TBS Upfront Presentation at Hammerstein Ballroom Wednesday (May 19) in New York City.

Other celebs, including Essence Atkins, Terry Crews, Ice Cube, Regina King, George Lopez and Conan O’Brien, were also spotted the Turner Entertainment Upfront presentation.

Check out a few pictures below…

Actor Will Smith and wife actress Jada Pinkett Smith share a few secrets on how to maintain a healthy marriage in a recent episode of the the Oprah Winfrey Show. When asked by Oprah how the two manage to keep the sparks alive after being married for more than 12 years, Jada responded with: “How saucy do you want to get, Oprah?”

But, before things could get too heated up, Will interfered, “Hey, hey, we got kids in the green room,” referring to their three children, Trey, Jaden, and Willow, who also made an appearance on the show.

Jada then gave a more child-friendly answer: “Keep it spontaneous, I surprise him. He’s a thinker. He’s always thinking. I just, I always surprise him…Now I don’t know if you want to get in on how I surprise him… During the day I might send a sexy picture of some sort…If he’s on set with me, we might take a break.”

Now we all know Jada and Will some freaks! Glad to see some married couples can survive these days though. Check out video footage of Will & Jada on The Oprah Winfrey Show below…

Lots of celebs headed to Las Vegas Saturday evening (May 1) to catch the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs “Sugar” Shane Mosley welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Some of the famous faces spotted in the crowd included Diddy, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and singer Chris Brown, who performed the National Anthem before the opening bell. Even boxing legend Muhammad Ali was spotted ringside at the big fight!

Check out 10+ pictures of everyone mentioned below and continue reading for the video of Chris performing the Star Spangled Banner…

Actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, were on hand for the American Red Cross Red Tie Affair Fundraiser Gala at Fairmont Miramar Hotel Saturday evening (Apr 17) in Santa Monica, California.

The happily married couple was all boo’d up as they posed for photos on the red carpet before making their way into the building to help raise money for the Red Cross. A few pics for your viewing pleasure below…

Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith‘s two youngest children, actor Jaden Smith and actress Willow Smith, hung out together on the red carpet of the premiere of IndustryWorks’ “The Perfect Game” Monday (Apr 5) in Los Angeles at The Grove’s “Pacific Theaters.”

The stylish brother and sister pair are both on their way to becoming established actors as 11-year-old Jaden has 3 films under his belt: 2006′s “The Pursuit of Happiness,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008) and the upcoming “Karate Kid” remake, due in theaters June 11th 2010, and his little sister Willow, 9, has been in 4 movies herself: “I Am Legend” (2007), “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” (2008), “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.” She even had a spot in a couple episodes of Nickelodeon‘s “True Jackson: VP.”

Wow, they’re not even pre-teens yet and they’ve got more movies in their belt than some 30 and 40-year-old actors and actresses! Guess it runs in the family…

The 23rd Annual Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards went down over the weekend (Sat. Mar 27) and a ton of stars (including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Will Smith and his family, Swizz Beatz and his sons, Snoop Dogg and his family, Jermaine Dupri and his daughter, Keke Palmer and more) came out to the Pauley Pavilian at UCLA, where the show (hosted by actor/comedian Kevin James) was held, to see who would take home one of those famous orange blimps in categories like “Cutest Couple,” “Favorite TV Show,” “Favorite Song,” “Favorite Movie,” “Favorite Female/Male Singers” and more. Hit up Nick.com for the complete list of winners for the 2010 Kids’ Choice Awards, and check out pics from the red carpet (and the show) below and when you continue reading!

Introducing… President Will Smith! Can you imagine it?

Over the years, there’s been some chatter about Will Smith eventually moving into politics and becoming the future President of the United States. He hasn’t said much of anything about it, but his wife Jada Pinkett Smith recently had this to say during a recent interview with Bunte Magazine.

“Will is thinking about going into politics,” she told the German magazine. “He once said he could imagine becoming a US president. He wasn’t joking, he was quite serious about it.”

This would mean that Jada would have to become First Lady and she says she’s just not ready for that type of responsibility.

“It’s just not for me. Will and I want to leave our mark on the world, and we think it more important than just traces of films.”

Here’s what Will said about his ambitions to become President back in 2007:

“I always wanted to be the first black president but Barack Obama stole my idea,” said Smith as Obama was running for office. “That’s  okay with me. Barack can go first and then I’ll take my turn.”

Would you vote for The Fresh Prince if he ran for president?

Our very own President Barack Obama formally accepted his Nobel Peace Prize award yesterday (Dec 10) at the official award ceremony at the City Hall in Oslo, Norway. This comes just one week after he made the hard decision of sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, a move that has tripled the number of U.S. forces there since he took office this year.

Actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, also attended the ceremony and were photographed in the audience.

Read Obama’s entire speech (and check out a video of the speech) below!

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, citizens of America, and citizens of the world:

I receive this honor with deep gratitude and great humility. It is an award that speaks to our highest aspirations – that for all the cruelty and hardship of our world, we are not mere prisoners of fate. Our actions matter, and can bend history in the direction of justice.

And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize – Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela – my accomplishments are slight. And then there are the men and women around the world who have been jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice; those who toil in humanitarian organizations to relieve suffering; the unrecognized millions whose quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. I cannot argue with those who find these men and women – some known, some obscure to all but those they help – to be far more deserving of this honor than I.

But perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of a nation in the midst of two wars. One of these wars is winding down. The other is a conflict that America did not seek; one in which we are joined by forty three other countries – including Norway – in an effort to defend ourselves and all nations from further attacks.

Still, we are at war, and I am responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill. Some will be killed. And so I come here with an acute sense of the cost of armed conflict – filled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and our effort to replace one with the other.

These questions are not new. War, in one form or another, appeared with the first man. At the dawn of history, its morality was not questioned; it was simply a fact, like drought or disease – the manner in which tribes and then civilizations sought power and settled their differences.

Over time, as codes of law sought to control violence within groups, so did philosophers, clerics, and statesmen seek to regulate the destructive power of war. The concept of a “just war” emerged, suggesting that war is justified only when it meets certain preconditions: if it is waged as a last resort or in self-defense; if the forced used is proportional, and if, whenever possible, civilians are spared from violence.

For most of history, this concept of just war was rarely observed. The capacity of human beings to think up new ways to kill one another proved inexhaustible, as did our capacity to exempt from mercy those who look different or pray to a different God. Wars between armies gave way to wars between nations – total wars in which the distinction between combatant and civilian became blurred. In the span of thirty years, such carnage would twice engulf this continent. And while it is hard to conceive of a cause more just than the defeat of the Third Reich and the Axis powers, World War II was a conflict in which the total number of civilians who died exceeded the number of soldiers who perished.

In the wake of such destruction, and with the advent of the nuclear age, it became clear to victor and vanquished alike that the world needed institutions to prevent another World War. And so, a quarter century after the United States Senate rejected the League of Nations – an idea for which Woodrow Wilson received this Prize – America led the world in constructing an architecture to keep the peace: a Marshall Plan and a United Nations, mechanisms to govern the waging of war, treaties to protect human rights, prevent genocide, and restrict the most dangerous weapons.

In many ways, these efforts succeeded. Yes, terrible wars have been fought, and atrocities committed. But there has been no Third World War. The Cold War ended with jubilant crowds dismantling a wall. Commerce has stitched much of the world together. Billions have been lifted from poverty. The ideals of liberty, self-determination, equality and the rule of law have haltingly advanced. We are the heirs of the fortitude and foresight of generations past, and it is a legacy for which my own country is rightfully proud.

A decade into a new century, this old architecture is buckling under the weight of new threats. The world may no longer shudder at the prospect of war between two nuclear superpowers, but proliferation may increase the risk of catastrophe. Terrorism has long been a tactic, but modern technology allows a few small men with outsized rage to murder innocents on a horrific scale.

Moreover, wars between nations have increasingly given way to wars within nations. The resurgence of ethnic or sectarian conflicts; the growth of secessionist movements, insurgencies, and failed states; have increasingly trapped civilians in unending chaos. In today’s wars, many more civilians are killed than soldiers; the seeds of future conflict are sewn, economies are wrecked, civil societies torn asunder, refugees amassed, and children scarred.

I do not bring with me today a definitive solution to the problems of war. What I do know is that meeting these challenges will require the same vision, hard work, and persistence of those men and women who acted so boldly decades ago. And it will require us to think in new ways about the notions of just war and the imperatives of a just peace.

We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations – acting individually or in concert – will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.

I make this statement mindful of what Martin Luther King said in this same ceremony years ago – “Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.” As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King’s life’s work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there is nothing weak -nothing passive – nothing naïve – in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.

But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism – it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

I raise this point because in many countries there is a deep ambivalence about military action today, no matter the cause. At times, this is joined by a reflexive suspicion of America, the world’s sole military superpower.

Yet the world must remember that it was not simply international institutions – not just treaties and declarations – that brought stability to a post-World War II world. Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms. The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform has promoted peace and prosperity from Germany to Korea, and enabled democracy to take hold in places like the Balkans. We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest – because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other peoples’ children and grandchildren can live in freedom and prosperity.

So yes, the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another – that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy. The soldier’s courage and sacrifice is full of glory, expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms. But war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such.

So part of our challenge is reconciling these two seemingly irreconcilable truths – that war is sometimes necessary, and war is at some level an expression of human feelings. Concretely, we must direct our effort to the task that President Kennedy called for long ago. “Let us focus,” he said, “on a more practical, more attainable peace, based not on a sudden revolution in human nature but on a gradual evolution in human institutions.”

What might this evolution look like? What might these practical steps be?

To begin with, I believe that all nations – strong and weak alike – must adhere to standards that govern the use of force. I – like any head of state – reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation. Nevertheless, I am convinced that adhering to standards strengthens those who do, and isolates – and weakens – those who don’t.

The world rallied around America after the 9/11 attacks, and continues to support our efforts in Afghanistan, because of the horror of those senseless attacks and the recognized principle of self-defense. Likewise, the world recognized the need to confront Saddam Hussein when he invaded Kuwait – a consensus that sent a clear message to all about the cost of aggression.

Furthermore, America cannot insist that others follow the rules of the road if we refuse to follow them ourselves. For when we don’t, our action can appear arbitrary, and undercut the legitimacy of future intervention – no matter how justified.

This becomes particularly important when the purpose of military action extends beyond self defense or the defense of one nation against an aggressor. More and more, we all confront difficult questions about how to prevent the slaughter of civilians by their own government, or to stop a civil war whose violence and suffering can engulf an entire region.

I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds, as it was in the Balkans, or in other places that have been scarred by war. Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later. That is why all responsible nations must embrace the role that militaries with a clear mandate can play to keep the peace.

America’s commitment to global security will never waiver. But in a world in which threats are more diffuse, and missions more complex, America cannot act alone. This is true in Afghanistan. This is true in failed states like Somalia, where terrorism and piracy is joined by famine and human suffering. And sadly, it will continue to be true in unstable regions for years to come.

The leaders and soldiers of NATO countries – and other friends and allies – demonstrate this truth through the capacity and courage they have shown in Afghanistan. But in many countries, there is a disconnect between the efforts of those who serve and the ambivalence of the broader public. I understand why war is not popular. But I also know this: the belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice. That is why NATO continues to be indispensable. That is why we must strengthen UN and regional peacekeeping, and not leave the task to a few countries. That is why we honor those who return home from peacekeeping and training abroad to Oslo and Rome; to Ottawa and Sydney; to Dhaka and Kigali – we honor them not as makers of war, but as wagers of peace.

Let me make one final point about the use of force. Even as we make difficult decisions about going to war, we must also think clearly about how we fight it. The Nobel Committee recognized this truth in awarding its first prize for peace to Henry Dunant – the founder of the Red Cross, and a driving force behind the Geneva Conventions.

Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America’s commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard.

I have spoken to the questions that must weigh on our minds and our hearts as we choose to wage war. But let me turn now to our effort to avoid such tragic choices, and speak of three ways that we can build a just and lasting peace.

First, in dealing with those nations that break rules and laws, I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to change behavior – for if we want a lasting peace, then the words of the international community must mean something. Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure – and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one.

One urgent example is the effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, and to seek a world without them. In the middle of the last century, nations agreed to be bound by a treaty whose bargain is clear: all will have access to peaceful nuclear power; those without nuclear weapons will forsake them; and those with nuclear weapons will work toward disarmament. I am committed to upholding this treaty. It is a centerpiece of my foreign policy. And I am working with President Medvedev to reduce America and Russia’s nuclear stockpiles.

But it is also incumbent upon all of us to insist that nations like Iran and North Korea do not game the system. Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted. Those who care for their own security cannot ignore the danger of an arms race in the Middle East or East Asia. Those who seek peace cannot stand idly by as nations arm themselves for nuclear war.

The same principle applies to those who violate international law by brutalizing their own people. When there is genocide in Darfur; systematic rape in Congo; or repression in Burma – there must be consequences. And the closer we stand together, the less likely we will be faced with the choice between armed intervention and complicity in oppression.

This brings me to a second point – the nature of the peace that we seek. For peace is not merely the absence of visible conflict. Only a just peace based upon the inherent rights and dignity of every individual can truly be lasting.

It was this insight that drove drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after the Second World War. In the wake of devastation, they recognized that if human rights are not protected, peace is a hollow promise.

And yet all too often, these words are ignored. In some countries, the failure to uphold human rights is excused by the false suggestion that these are Western principles, foreign to local cultures or stages of a nation’s development. And within America, there has long been a tension between those who describe themselves as realists or idealists – a tension that suggests a stark choice between the narrow pursuit of interests or an endless campaign to impose our values.

I reject this choice. I believe that peace is unstable where citizens are denied the right to speak freely or worship as they please; choose their own leaders or assemble without fear. Pent up grievances fester, and the suppression of tribal and religious identity can lead to violence. We also know that the opposite is true. Only when Europe became free did it finally find peace. America has never fought a war against a democracy, and our closest friends are governments that protect the rights of their citizens. No matter how callously defined, neither America’s interests – nor the world’s -are served by the denial of human aspirations.

So even as we respect the unique culture and traditions of different countries, America will always be a voice for those aspirations that are universal. We will bear witness to the quiet dignity of reformers like Aung Sang Suu Kyi; to the bravery of Zimbabweans who cast their ballots in the face of beatings; to the hundreds of thousands who have marched silently through the streets of Iran. It is telling that the leaders of these governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation. And it is the responsibility of all free people and free nations to make clear to these movements that hope and history are on their side

Let me also say this: the promotion of human rights cannot be about exhortation alone. At times, it must be coupled with painstaking diplomacy. I know that engagement with repressive regimes lacks the satisfying purity of indignation. But I also know that sanctions without outreach – and condemnation without discussion – can carry forward a crippling status quo. No repressive regime can move down a new path unless it has the choice of an open door.

In light of the Cultural Revolution’s horrors, Nixon’s meeting with Mao appeared inexcusable – and yet it surely helped set China on a path where millions of its citizens have been lifted from poverty, and connected to open societies. Pope John Paul’s engagement with Poland created space not just for the Catholic Church, but for labor leaders like Lech Walesa. Ronald Reagan’s efforts on arms control and embrace of perestroika not only improved relations with the Soviet Union, but empowered dissidents throughout Eastern Europe. There is no simple formula here. But we must try as best we can to balance isolation and engagement; pressure and incentives, so that human rights and dignity are advanced over time.

Third, a just peace includes not only civil and political rights – it must encompass economic security and opportunity. For true peace is not just freedom from fear, but freedom from want.

It is undoubtedly true that development rarely takes root without security; it is also true that security does not exist where human beings do not have access to enough food, or clean water, or the medicine they need to survive. It does not exist where children cannot aspire to a decent education or a job that supports a family. The absence of hope can rot a society from within.

And that is why helping farmers feed their own people – or nations educate their children and care for the sick – is not mere charity. It is also why the world must come together to confront climate change. There is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades. For this reason, it is not merely scientists and activists who call for swift and forceful action – it is military leaders in my country and others who understand that our common security hangs in the balance.

Agreements among nations. Strong institutions. Support for human rights. Investments in development. All of these are vital ingredients in bringing about the evolution that President Kennedy spoke about. And yet, I do not believe that we will have the will, or the staying power, to complete this work without something more – and that is the continued expansion of our moral imagination; an insistence that there is something irreducible that we all share.

As the world grows smaller, you might think it would be easier for human beings to recognize how similar we are; to understand that we all basically want the same things; that we all hope for the chance to live out our lives with some measure of happiness and fulfillment for ourselves and our families.

And yet, given the dizzying pace of globalization, and the cultural leveling of modernity, it should come as no surprise that people fear the loss of what they cherish about their particular identities – their race, their tribe, and perhaps most powerfully their religion. In some places, this fear has led to conflict. At times, it even feels like we are moving backwards. We see it in Middle East, as the conflict between Arabs and Jews seems to harden. We see it in nations that are torn asunder by tribal lines.

Most dangerously, we see it in the way that religion is used to justify the murder of innocents by those who have distorted and defiled the great religion of Islam, and who attacked my country from Afghanistan. These extremists are not the first to kill in the name of God; the cruelties of the Crusades are amply recorded. But they remind us that no Holy War can ever be a just war. For if you truly believe that you are carrying out divine will, then there is no need for restraint – no need to spare the pregnant mother, or the medic, or even a person of one’s own faith. Such a warped view of religion is not just incompatible with the concept of peace, but the purpose of faith – for the one rule that lies at the heart of every major religion is that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Adhering to this law of love has always been the core struggle of human nature. We are fallible. We make mistakes, and fall victim to the temptations of pride, and power, and sometimes evil. Even those of us with the best intentions will at times fail to right the wrongs before us.

But we do not have to think that human nature is perfect for us to still believe that the human condition can be perfected. We do not have to live in an idealized world to still reach for those ideals that will make it a better place. The non-violence practiced by men like Gandhi and King may not have been practical or possible in every circumstance, but the love that they preached – their faith in human progress – must always be the North Star that guides us on our journey.

For if we lose that faith – if we dismiss it as silly or naïve; if we divorce it from the decisions that we make on issues of war and peace – then we lose what is best about humanity. We lose our sense of possibility. We lose our moral compass.

Like generations have before us, we must reject that future. As Dr. King said at this occasion so many years ago, “I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the ‘isness’ of man’s present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal ‘oughtness’ that forever confronts him.”

So let us reach for the world that ought to be – that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls. Somewhere today, in the here and now, a soldier sees he’s outgunned but stands firm to keep the peace. Somewhere today, in this world, a young protestor awaits the brutality of her government, but has the courage to march on. Somewhere today, a mother facing punishing poverty still takes the time to teach her child, who believes that a cruel world still has a place for his dreams.

Let us live by their example. We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of depravation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do that – for that is the story of human progress; that is the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on Earth.

PHOTOS: GETTY / AFP

Michael Jackson‘s brothers (L – R): Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon arrived together on the red carpet of the King of Pop‘s new film, “This Is It,” which premiered worldwide Wednesday (Oct 28) and made $2.2 million on its opening night in North America Tuesday (Oct 27). Here the remaining members of the iconic “Jackson 5” music group are pictured with the director and producer of the film (and the former tour) Kenny Ortega.

The big event drew in a lot of other famous faces, like Paula Abdul, Martin Lawrence, Vivica A. Fox, Will Smith, Tyrese and more. Continue reading for the rest of the pictures from the premiere!