An executive producer is claiming that Will Smith refused to let RuPaul appear on an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
The series, which ran from 1990-96 has had it's plethora of guest stars, such as Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Donald Trump, Don Cheadle, Queen Latifah, Chris Rock and even Oprah Winfrey.
However, according to reports, journalist Thea Glassman claims that Smith was vehemently against having Mamaru on the hit sitcom. “I remember him saying that would be a really bad idea…And I said, ‘No, listen, hear my story—”
In Glassman’s novel, Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television– executive producer David Steven Simon reportedly claims he previously worked with Smith and pitched him the idea at the time. Glassman assumed the reason Smith turned down the feature was because, “of his image. Period. The End.”
Neither Smiith or RuPaul have not commented on the accusations.
The snub obviously hasn't stopped Ru's bag, since he's appeared in over 50 films and TV shows, including Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Reno 911, Veronica's Closet, Ugly Betty and Sister, Sister, to name a few.
He also had a talk show on VH1 for two seasons, has released 15 albums, and now has a globally successful competition series called RuPaul's Drag Race.
Ru did get to appear on another sitcom featuring a rapper - In The House with LL Cool J. He played LL's friend who moonlighted as a drag queen.
I'm not surprised by this tea at all, since it's common knowledge that Will refused to kiss another man in Six Degrees of Separation, since his character was gay. BTW, Denzel Washington advised him not to do the same sex kiss.
Quiet as it's kept I've always felt Will has some deep-rooted issues dealing with his sexuality, and there are moments on the show where he would appear queenier than your average stereotypical gay man.
So I can see having a huge drag queen who was major in the 90s appear on your show there would be a fear that the closet case would be clocked.
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