Will Smith donated money to the Church of Scientology’s LEAP program in 2006.

Then came lots of talk: Will and Jada hanging out with Tom Cruise, super Scientologist, didn’t help. The Smith kids were also getting home-schooled, which put them in line with Cruise, John Travolta and others.

This year, news broke that Will had funded a school in suburban Los Angeles that used one of Scientology’s study programs. It seemed like Will and Jada were making a statement. But they didn’t actually make a statement.

Monday night, Fox News ran into Mr. and Mrs. Smith at the premiere of “Lakeview Terrace,” which Will has produced with partner James Lassiter. Jada was there, too. And here’s the thing about Will and Jada: they are immensely likable. They are incredibly gracious. Even when Will’s overzealous security guard, the size of the Cleopatra column, attempted to block and neutralize me, Smith intervened quickly.

Fox News heard he’d given a press conference to the group called Anonymous, which protests Scientology.

“Not exactly a press conference, but I did talk to them,” he said. Mind you, Will had just gone to the buffet and was carrying a plate of food. This was up at the swanky new Empire Hotel rooftop following the premiere of “Lakeview,” which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington.

So, what’s the story? Is Will a Scientologist? “I am not,” he said. The school is using one of Scientology’s teaching tools, but Will said, “You can take different parts of things you like and put them all together.”

This is similar to what he told the Anonymous people (who remain, I presume, unknown). In their recent press release, the group said, “We appreciate Will’s interest in our efforts and his openness in speaking with us directly. It shows his concern both as a parent and educator.

“Anonymous is hopeful that NVLA will take the great strides necessary to correct for the deficiencies in Scientology’s Study Tech, or abandon them altogether. We will be keeping an eye on the situation to make sure that NVLA lives up to the goals Will Smith has for it, which include keeping the Church of Scientology out of the classrooms.”

More importantly: Jada wore a short-waisted vintage dress, with the bust covered in a silver mylar sort of thing. It was very cool. She told me she was thrilled “The Women” had made $10 million in its first weekend, since it only cost $16 million. “We’re in the clear whatever happens now,” she said.

(source)

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