Will Smith’s Most Controversial Moments
A controversial profession. Will Smith has discovered himself on the middle of a number of scandals over the course of his decades-long profession, a few of which even date again to his time on The Recent Prince of Bel-Air.
When Janet Hubert, who performed Aunt Viv on the primary three seasons, left the ’90s sitcom attributable to “inventive variations” in 1993, the “Summertime” rapper slammed his former costar throughout a radio interview. “I can say straight up that Janet Hubert wished the present to be The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Present,” Smith mentioned on the time, per E! Information. “She’s mad now however she’s been mad all alongside. She mentioned as soon as, ‘I’ve been within the enterprise for 10 years and this snotty-nosed punk comes alongside and will get a present.’ It doesn’t matter what, to her I’m simply the Antichrist.”
Although he later apologized for his feedback, the Philadelphia native’s remarks marked the beginning of a years-long feud with Hubert. “There’ll by no means be a [Fresh Prince] reunion … as I’ll by no means do something with an a–gap like Will Smith,” the Love Life actress informed TMZ in December 2011.
Two years later, Hubert claimed that Smith was spreading “lies” about her conduct on set. “I feel what occurred, as a result of the viewers was so on my facet at the moment, that Will most likely felt like he wanted to exit, and he wanted to inform numerous lies. … I’ve proof that numerous that didn’t occur,” she informed The Grio in March 2013.
The pair continued their back-and-forth for years earlier than ultimately burying the hatchet through the 2020 Recent Prince of Bel-Air reunion particular, the place Smith acknowledged that he “made the set troublesome” for Hubert through the third season.
“Phrases can kill. I misplaced every part. Status. Every thing, every part. I perceive you had been in a position to transfer ahead,” she informed the Ali star through the HBO Max particular. “Calling a Black girl ‘troublesome’ in Hollywood is the kiss of loss of life. It’s arduous sufficient being a dark-skinned Black girl on this enterprise. I felt it was crucial for us to lastly transfer ahead. And I’m sorry I’ve blasted you to items.”
Whereas he was in a position to settle considered one of his Hollywood feuds, Smith began a model new one on the 2022 Oscars by slapping Chris Rock through the ceremony. After the comic made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head, the Oscar winner stormed the stage to defend his spouse (who has alopecia) and hit Rock within the face. After he returned to his seat, Smith shouted at Rock, telling him to “Preserve my spouse’s title out your f–king mouth.”
The “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” rapper apologized the next day for his conduct in an announcement shared by way of Instagram. “Violence in all of its varieties is toxic and damaging. My conduct eventually night time’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote in March 2022. “I wish to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I used to be out of line and I used to be flawed. I’m embarrassed and my actions weren’t indicative of the person I wish to be. There is no such thing as a place for violence in a world of affection and kindness.”
Preserve scrolling to relive Smith’s most controversial moments:
