Jennifer Hudson Could Sing at Inauguration
President-elect Barack Obama’s Inauguration team is trying to woo Jennifer Hudson to sing the National Anthem at the swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20, The New York Post reports. The performance would be her first appearance since the October murders of her mother, brother and nephew. “Organizers want Jennifer to sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the Inauguration on Jan. 20,” a source told Page Six. “They are talking to Jennifer about it. It would be the first time she performed since the murders. She is from Chicago and a huge Obama supporter.” It wouldn’t be her first high-profile performance of the National Anthem. The Grammy winner and former “American Idol” contestant also sang the song at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

Will Smith is Indeed a Money Man
Will Smith made more money for movie theaters in 2008 than any other actor, according to the annual survey by Quigley Publishing Co. The star of such films as “Hancock” and “Seven Pounds” is only the second Black actor to be chosen in the poll, which over the past three-quarters of a century has asked movie theaters to vote on the 10 stars who generated the most business. Sidney Poitier garnered the honor in 1968. Smith’s superhero summer blockbuster, “Hancock,” grossed $228 million. “Seven Pounds,” currently in theaters, has pulled in a lackluster $39 million in two weeks. Following Smith, in order, were Robert Downey Jr. (”Iron Man,” “Tropic Thunder”), Christian Bale (”The Dark Knight”), Shia LaBeouf (”Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”) and LaBeouf’s “Indiana Jones” co-star Harrison Ford.

Karate Kid remake to feature Black star. The young son of actor Will Smith is set to become the first Black Karate Kid in a remake of the 1984 movie. Ralph Macchio starred in the action drama and its sequel before Hilary Swank later took on the role. Jaden Smith, 10, who co-starred with his dad in The Pursuit of Happyness, will star in the Beijing, China-based production. Like in the previous movies, the plot is expected to portray a bullied youth who learns the virtues of self-defense.

“Pied piper’s” nephew shot in robbery attempt. Singer R. Kelly’s 15-year-old nephew is hospitalized after a shooting in Chicago, while his brother is in custody for an alleged robbery attempt. Cops say Bryel Kelly, 15, was shot by the owner of a barbershop during the alleged attempt to take cash from the store. Read the rest here.

Actor’s son impresses dad with generosity. Actor Will Smith’s oldest son Trey is asking that guests who attend his forthcoming 16^th birthday bash bring gifts, but not for the celebration. Instead, Trey has asked that presents be donated to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Will explains: “About eight weeks ago, his grandmother died of cancer and he said he just realized they’re just gifts…he was there in the moment when she passed, so he got a real sense of that loss.”

Jada Pinkett Smith says woman threatened her.

  Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has had to watch her back since marrying Hollywood superstar Will Smith. Mrs. Smith reveals an episode years ago when she dealt with a woman in Miami who made threats on the actress’ life. “The police called my agent and said, ‘We have this woman who has plotted to kill Jada because she claims to be married to Will Smith, and that Jada stole him from her,’” Pinkett Smith. “So the police found this woman and locked her up.” Adds the Set It Off star: “It’s because I’m little. Will is a 6-foot-2-inch … Black dude, who nobody wants to mess with. So instead, they come after the little 4-foot-11-inch chick.”Prince debuts 21 Nights. Fans who couldn’t make it to London to see him live last year can get a sense of Prince’s intimate shows in a new coffee-table book. Due for release next week, 21 Nights features photos of the 50-year-old star while on a club tour and in behind-scenes settings. The book comes with a companion CD of Prince’s music.