Talented, Sexy and Smart Maurice Jamal has it going on. I, Justin B. Smith personally met Jamal in 2005, and I knew he was the next big thing. He walked in the room with his confident swagger and sophisticated good looks I knew he was an unstoppable force of nature. When I saw met him he was as nice as apple pie to me. He introduced himself with a strong handshake and beautiful shinning white smile. I was exiting the screening of The Ski Trip and he asked what I thought of the movie, I said I loved it. I knew what ever he touched next would be not gold, but platinum.

Mr. Jamal burst on the scene in 2005 with his debut film THE SKI TRIP. The film was the first Black and Latino gay film to air nationally and helped launch MTV's LOGO Network and was the first programming geared towards people of color on the network. The film became a huge hit and with over 25 million viewers over 2 years has become the most highly watched Black gay film in history! MTV President Brian Grayden called the film "the finest example of programming in the MTV family."

The film had a national theatrical release with FOX/Codeblack, making history again as the first Black gay themed film to do so. The film garnered huge media attention, with both the film and Mr. Jamal being covered EBONY, JET, BET, New York Times, CNN, TV ONE, OUT, The ADVOCATE just to name a few. It is smashing records on DVD and can currently be seen on TV ONE.

Next up is his film adaptation of B-BOY BLUES, the classic novel by James Earl Hardy which tells the story of unrequited love in the hip-hop world. Also on the roster are a Motown-era musical and a drama about death and dying.

This fall will see the debut of his new TV series FRIENDS AND LOVERS, a highly anticipated comedic drama about several diverse couples living large and loving hard in LA. The series is a spin off of his film THE SKI TRIP and marks the first such series to feature a diverse cast both racially and in regards to sexual orientation.

There is tremendous buzz about the series and like his previous work is certain to change the face of film and TV.

2009 will see the actor/director return to his literary roots as he tours the country with a new spoken word project and the release of a novel about love, secrets, lust and lies in Hollywood.

Besides The Blackhouse Foundation, Mr. Jamal's philanthropic efforts include support for GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, The Diva Foundation and the Black AIDS Institute. This year he will be part of BAI's nationally televised AIDS awareness campaign and is the only openly gay celebrity to do so.

Mr. Jamal currently resides in Los Angeles and is continues to be single. He will probably adopt a dog soon and move into the Hollywood Hills.

Interview