Katt Williams is on the air: The war of words over the role in “Friday After Next” shocked Hollywood

An explosive controversy between two top comedians over the ownership of the classic role has shaken the entertainment community

The Hollywood entertainment industry is making waves before the public confrontation between two famous comedians Katt Williams and Ricky Smiley revolving around the role of Money Mike in the classic comedy “Friday After Next” in 2002.

The controversy began when Williams appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” and accused Smiley of “lying” about being given the role.

In the explosive interview, Katt Williams did not hesitate to denounce her colleagues: “They are comfortable sitting here and lying to you about this… I’m talking about things that have never been heard in the entire history of black Hollywood.”

Williams claimed that he auditioned for 201 out of 201 black comedians auditioning for the character of Money Mike, while Smiley claimed that he was given the role from the beginning but was later switched to the role of Santa Claus.

What is particularly noteworthy is that Williams revealed that in the original script, the character Money Mike had a scene where he was sexually assaulted in the bathroom – and that’s the part that Smiley agreed to do. “That’s the truth about this. Money Mike in the original script is raped in the bathroom and that’s what Ricky Smiley accepts,” Williams stated harshly.

In response to these serious allegations, Ricky Smiley gave an emotional response on his own show. He affirmed, “I auditioned for Friday After Next as Money Mike, not Santa Claus, and that’s the truth before God.”

Smiley explained that when Williams was cast for the role of Money Mike, the director added a “pimp” element to the character, making it funnier in a way he couldn’t. “I’m glad they made that decision and gave me the role of Santa Claus, which was really perfect,” he said.

Notably, Smiley also expressed deep hurt about the impact of this controversy on his family: “What makes me sad is how this way has made my children. That’s why I’m not going to attack him again because he also has children and family members.”

Williams did not stop at criticizing the role. He also revealed that he wrote all the lines for the character Money Mike himself: “Everything Money Mike says is written by Katt Williams. Then What does Ricky Smiley say on his show? He couldn’t say my lines — I wrote them.”

Another interesting detail that Williams shared was that he had to lie on the dirt while filming the scene of being hit by a car, and he saw maggots in the dirt. “It was a true story, it was disgusting,” he recalled.

From the perspective of a veteran journalist who has followed the entertainment industry for a decade, this controversy reflects deeper issues in Hollywood — especially how actors of color are treated and credited.

Both actors have made significant contributions to American comedy cinema. Katt Williams is known for her unique comedy style and excellent improvisation, while Ricky Smiley has built a solid career over the decades with her popular radio show.

This controversy has attracted millions of views on social media platforms and created a heated discussion in the fan community. Many questioned the veracity of the claims, while others expressed disappointment at seeing the two talented comedians clash publicly.

It is worth noting that Williams has a reputation for being not afraid to speak out and often denounce injustices in the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, Smiley is known as a peaceful person and rarely gets involved in public controversies.

While the truth about the role of Money Mike may never be fully clarified, this controversy has highlighted issues of credibility, justice, and how artists of color fight for recognition in an industry that regularly faces accusations of racism.

Both Katt Williams and Ricky Smiley deserve respect for their contributions to American entertainment. Hopefully they can find a way to resolve this disagreement in a civilized way, just as Smiley made peace with the RSJ after 20 years of discord.

Ultimately, fans are eager to see both artists continue to develop their careers and bring laughter to the audience, rather than wasting time and energy on avoidable controversies.

This article has been compiled based on the public statements of stakeholders. The allegations and responses are presented objectively for informational purposes.