Run That By Me Again: Norbit, Will Smith & Ne-Yo

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Letting It All Hang Out: In Hollywood, they say anything's possible.

And that will be proven if Eddie Murphy's controversial flick 'Norbit' makes it into the annals of the Academy Awards this year.

According to published reports, the critically-crucified slapstick comedy – where the 'Beverly Hills Cop' star portrays a multitude of characters (most notably the larger than life Rasputia Latimore) –has made the shortlist of seven movies to be considered for the make-up category for this year's ceremony.

Other movies considered include 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,' 'La Vie en Rose,' 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,' 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,' 'Sweeney Todd' and '300.'

That's stiff competition.

But 'Norbit' may can handle it. Even with public protests and outcries, the film netted more than $100 million at the domestic box-office last year.

The members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Makeup Branch will view 10-minute excerpts from each of the seven films on Jan. 19, and will then vote to nominate three films for Oscar consideration.

Nominations in all categories will be unveiled January 22.

Last year's makeup winner was "Pan's Labyrinth."

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Losing Thy Religion: To hell with the spiritual journey you've been on for most of your life -- if you worked on the set of Will Smith's forthcoming movie, 'Hancock,' you didn't get a traditional lavish gift. Instead, the Church in Scientology reared its head in short order – as a token of appreciation for your hard work and dedication.

Or that's what some the New York Daily News has reported.

Apparently the box-office superstar's wrap gift to crew members, this go round, "was a card good for a personality test at your local Scientology center."

The L. Ron Hubbard-created religion sect, which some believe is a cult, is rumored to cost upwards to $30,000 for membership.

Hmmmm.

Smith, who has thanked God – in the past – for his good talent and good fortune never struck many as the pious type. But some folks never do.

It's not confirmed whether or not the 'I Am Legend' star is a Scientologist, but some of the celebrity elite – such as John Travolta, Isaac Hayes, Tom Cruise, Usher and Kirstie Alley– are proud members.

"I was introduced to it by Tom, and I'm a student of world religion," Smith once told Access Hollywood. "I was raised in a Baptist household. I went to a Catholic school, but the ideas of the Bible are 98% the same ideas of Scientology, 98% the same ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism."

Alrighty then.

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F#$% You, Pay Me: After being abruptly fired from R. Kelly's last tour, Ne-Yo is seeking a financial damages.

A spokesperson for the hip-hop-soul crooner clarified to The BV Newswire that he is, indeed, pursuing litigation against tour promoter Leonard Rowe, who packaged last fall's "Double Up," which also featured Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday. Not Kelly, who's believed to may have influenced the decision.

According to the lawsuit, the Def Jam Records artist was to be paid $785,000 for 25 shows and is still owed $735,000 due to the fact that he spent "substantial monies in preparation for the tour and turned down other touring and performance opportunities for Smith in reliance on Rowe's agreement that Smith would perform on the tour."

A statement posted on Rowe's official website said the lineup change was solely his decision and came about because the company couldn't obtain a "final, fully executed contract" from Ne-Yo's agent.