Glamorous Life Blog

Sidra Smith, Paul Wharton, Tyra Banks and ESPN ZONE?!?!

My dear friend Sidra Smith is flying in at 6am on Friday morning to stay with me for a nice long weekend. YIPPY!!  Sidra lives mostly in LA and a bit in NYC. She’s a fabulously talented Movie Producer, A-List Casting Director and a just a wonderful friend.

Sidra and I met about 8 years ago at a little art gallery opening in Harlem. My supermodel friend and housemate at that time, Lu Celania Sierra was buying a stunning piece of art that had everyone talking. It was about 8 feet tall and the woman on it was cool, hip, strong, sexy, basically Lu thought of it as a self-portrait! Oh yes kids, our house had no shortage of ego, hair products or hot celebrities sneaking down the creaky stairs of our brownstone to waiting black towncars at dawn… I’ll pick that story up in my tell-all book!

Anyhow, we invited Sidra to meet us for a cocktail and a beautiful friendship began right then. At the time Sidra was doing lots of castings for movies, TV shows and commercials. We worked together on a few great projects including my DVD that she Produced.

Sidra is the twin sister of the very talented actress Tasha Smith. Tasha is best known as the character Angela in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married”. Wasn’t she a riot? She was also in “Daddy’s Little Girl”, HBO’s “The Corner”, The series Boston Common and lots of other stuff.

Sidra introduced me to her sister Tasha quite a few years ago. Charles S. Dutton (the actor/director) had a picnic at his home outside of Baltimore. The next night after the picnic, Tasha, Sidra, Tyra Banks (yes I said Tyra Banks), myself and another friend of ours decided to go grab a bite in Baltimore. Now, my story is Tyra picked the place but I really can’t remember. All I know is we ended up at The ESPN Zone in downtown Baltimore. Now, I love a good game of Foosball just as much as the next guy, but I don’t want to hear all of that cheering when I’m trying to enjoy my Martini(s)! Good times were had by all, Tyra ate her calories (chicken wings and chocolate cake) and I drank mine (Lemon Drop Martinis). Very model behavior people!!

Anyhow, Sidra’s coming to catch up with her old buddy, help me write new show concepts and collaborate on a few other new projects. I’m sure between the work we’ll have quite a little bit of play! I can’t wait to see her.

Shall we all meet out for cocktails?? What’s up with you all this weekend? Holla at me!

Paul Wharton xx