Sideshow: Will Smith 'learned young to attack fear'

Philadelphia's greatest living export to Hollywood says that before you can succeed, you must first face your fears.

"I think I learned very young to attack fear," Will Smith tells TheMid.com. "It's frustrating to me when I'm scared . . . so I'm forced to go and attack it. It's been helpful, but it's been painful."

Smith, 46, who is making the media rounds to plug his new heist romance, Focus, gave the same advice to his kids, Jaden and Willow, who are embarking on showbiz careers.

"My great-grandmother used to say, 'Bought sense is better than that you borrow.' I always took that as doing it yourself. Earning that lump on your head is always better than listening to someone else," he said. "Jada and I like to give our kids complete responsibility. Outside of life or death, we like to give them their own choices."

She's pretty scary as pop stars go, so it's no wonder Lady Gaga has signed up to star in the fifth installment of FX's amazing gut-punch of a thriller, American Horror Story, which will be subtitled Hotel.

Has show creator Ryan Murphy made a wise choice? Let's hope her Ladyship has the thespianic mettle.

Fab Four survivor Paul McCartney has put to rest weeks of speculation by confirming rumors he will headline the Firefly Music Festival, set for June 18-21 at the Woodlands of Dover.

"We're not only excited, but honored," fest director Greg Bostrom said Wednesday.

The fest's more than 100 acts will include Kings of Leon, the Killers, Morrissey, Snoop Dogg, Foster the People, Bastille, and Kid Cudi.

Video is whizzing around the blogosphere showing world-renowned artist Madonna taking a nasty spill on stage during a headlining performance at Wednesday's Brit Awards in London.

She fell. But she got back up and resumed making beautiful music.

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