Fake Willow Smith show advertised in Maryland
An ad in Friday's paper had some great news for local fans of Willow Smith: her first show in the state.
But as if you couldn't tell from the picture to your right, the show is a fake. Label RocNation confirmed none of the members of the Smith family have any shows scheduled in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland in the foreseeable future.
You're still invited to whip your hair in the comfort of your own home, though.
The ad in the Live section of the Sun was tellingly rudimentary: just eight lines in different fonts - including Comic Sans - on a five-by-five black background.
It didn't include the concert's location, or the day.
It said the show would be produced by the conveniently vague North American Concerts N.A.
Naturally, the ad did include the cost of tickets - $25 in advance or $50 on the day of the show. How reasonably affordable!
Tickets could be purchased by e-mailing whipinghair@gmail.com, which if anything, sounds like one of those great Baltimore hair salon names.
So far, e-mails to that address have gone unanswered When asked for more information, someone at that e-mail address wrote details would be announced soon.*
Smith's label, RocNation, confirmed the show is a hoax. She is scheduled perform in Europe next year, but has no plans to visit Maryland, said label spokeswoman Jana Fleishman.
The ad likely appeared looking to cash in on an official announcement earlier this month that Smith would tour with Justin Bieber.
Smith, the ten-year-old daughter of "Wild Wild West" star Will Smith, began a music career this year with the release of the massively popular single "Whip my Hair."
Take this bit of news in stride Willow. A scam concert is the scuzziest sign you've truly arrived.
Update*: Just got a response from whipinghair@gmail.com: "Details Coming Soon. How many tickets would you like?"
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I think I would've called BS when I saw that the email address was (A) a Gmail account and (B) they misspelled "whipping".
Posted by: Todd (Heap) Schaefer | December 20, 2010 2:29 PM
THis might be interesting if I knew who the F Willow Smith is...
Posted by: Anonymous | December 20, 2010 2:39 PM
What's the Sun's policy regarding advertisements? Are they "fact checked", or is the only limitation that it isn't selling something illegal (drugs, sex, Four Loko)?
Posted by: Hair Whiper | December 20, 2010 2:43 PM
Come on @anon - Willow Smith is the daughter of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Posted by: Foo | December 20, 2010 4:01 PM
Benny Medina is the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Will Smith got all his kids working- he's like Joe Jackson or something.
Posted by: Tif | December 20, 2010 4:58 PM
I just think it's funny how Will and Jada swapped their names with their kids, Willow and Jaden.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | December 21, 2010 5:36 AM
This is the first time I've ever heard of Willow Smith.
Posted by: FHT | December 21, 2010 8:27 AM
The Sun does not fact check the ads that come through. To do so, would require A LOT more manpower than what's available, if you look at the classified section.
However, when a fraudulent ad is confirmed, local authorities are contacted, the ad (should there be any remaining run dates) is pulled, and the contact and payment information provided at purchase, are entered into a database of "no sells" which are further forbidden from placing ads.
Posted by: Allan | December 21, 2010 9:24 AM
Wollow smith u are so cool
Posted by: Moesha | December 21, 2010 10:29 PM
You really had to bill Will Smith as "Wild Wild West" star Will Smith? You should have gone with daughter of Will Smith, best known as DJ Jazzy Jeff's co-star on Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Posted by: m | December 22, 2010 2:57 PM