Jada Pinkett Smith has always been a force to be reckoned with onscreen as she brings to life powerful characters time and again, and her latest stint as the leading lady in "Magic Mike XXL" proves to be no different. Taking on the role originally created with Jamie Foxx in mind, the "Gotham" star shows the world how being a feminist can serve as a driving force for a movie to become sensitive to one of today's most controversial issues in Hollywood.
Discussing her role as one that sheds a female perspective in a testosterone filled film, Smith's character in "Magic Mike XXL" looked empowered and strong, according to Reuters. Stating that the representation is "how it should be," the actress says that the "energy of eroticism" when it comes to females should offer strength rather vulnerability. She shares, "In its most authentic, pure state, so I couldn't agree with you more, it's such an exhilarating film in that way that can open up a lot of different channels."
In an earlier interview with Yahoo, Smith echoed the same sentiments with regard the "energy" given off by female stars when taking on sexy roles. She said, "I really want it to embody a woman who is just a sexually enlivened creature, that women have the right to be as sexually enlivened as a man, and that it's healthy, inspiring and rejuvenating."
In connection with this, Smith also described how male entertainers are typically perceived and the need to possibly alter this perspective a bit to give the women other options to explore. She shares, "Somebody brought up a really good point that usually male strippers would be dressed up as police officers, firemen, so [male entertainment] has this very authoritative feel, instead of getting to understand what are those desires and fantasies that women want to explore with their imagination?" Smith adds, "So you would hope that maybe strip clubs would get more on that page."
With all the male stars surrounding her, however, the question regarding husband Will Smith's jealousy is understandable. While admitting that all her co-stars have incredible physical attributes, Jaden and Willow's mom believes that her hubby can definitely hold a candle to the "Magic Mike XXL" stars as she describes him as "pretty beefcake-ish." Questioned on whether her husband had been on guard throughout the filming, Smith shrugged off the fidelity rumors. "After you've been with somebody for 20 years," Smith responded, via Today, "you think there's any room for that? He knows he got me on lockdown."
