COMEDIAN Katt Williams made some head-turning comments about his peers in the entertainment industry.
On Shannon Sharpe‘s podcast, Williams blasted his fellow comics, including Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, and Rickey Smiley.
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Who is Katt Williams?
Born on September 2, 1971, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Katt Williams is an American comedian and actor.
He broke into Hollywood when he starred in the film Friday After Next, alongside Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon, Terry Crews, and Rickey Smiley.
Williams had a rough childhood, having emancipated from his parents at the age of 13.
He hitchhiked to Florida afterward and supported himself by working as a street vendor.
Before venturing into standup comedy, he also toured with a carnival where he worked as a barker.
Williams moved to Los Angeles in 1999, where he got his start at comedy clubs like The Improv and Ice House.
It didn’t take long until he landed the Friday After Next gig, which led to bigger opportunities.
In 2006, he starred in his first comedy special, Let a Playa Play, followed by another special on HBO, The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1.
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Williams also starred in various film and TV projects, including a role for Atlanta, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
He has since become a prominent figure in entertainment, with this latest notable project being the Netflix standup comedy special, World War III.
What did he say about Rickey Smiley?
In a January 2024 episode of Shannon Sharpe’s podcast Club Shay Shay, Katt Williams challenged Rickey Smiley’s previous assertion that he was supposed to star as Money Mike, the role Williams played on Friday After Next.
In the film, Smiley starred as Santa Claus.
“This man told you he had Katt Williams’ role. He was going to be Money Mike, and Katt Williams was going to be the Santa Claus,” Williams said.
“We auditioned in Los Angeles. I was audition No. 201. Two-hundred Black comedians auditioned for the role of Money Mike with me. You’re saying all 201 of us was auditioning, and you had already had the role and had already shot the role in four days?”
After his initial experience working with Smiley, Williams shared that he stipulated on his contract that, moving forward, he would only work with Smiley if the role required Smiley to wear a dress.
True enough, in their subsequent film together, First Sunday, Smiley sported a dress.
“Now, what was Rickey Smiley’s next movie? Was it ‘First Sunday’? Did he wear a dress in it? You bet he did. It’s in my contract.” Williams continued.
“That’s where he’s a believable actor. Him and Tyler Perry can’t play a man to save their life. They play good women.”
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Elsewhere in the podcast episode, Williams branded Smiley, Steve Harvey, and Cedric the Entertainer as cliquish.
“For 30 years, they’re a group. These aren’t three random guys,” he said. “All of these dudes are co-entwined and they share secrets, and this is the age of truth.”
He even accused Cedric of stealing his “best joke,” and Harvey of ripping off The Steve Harvey Show’s plot from comedian Mark Curry.
What have fans said about the Club Shay Shay podcast episode?
Fans were shocked by Katt Williams’ statements, but many offered their support on social media.
One commented: “I like how Shannon allowed him to speak his mind. Outstanding content! Katt spoke with conviction!”
Another said: “So honest, love Katt Williams, speak your truth.”
Others were also impressed that he had no holds barred: “Katt went full on Scorched Earth mode… this one gone ruffle plenty of feathers!!”