Since the noise at the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith has been living a quiet life, taking time to reflect on himself. Recently, the 56-year-old star attracted attention when he released a new album, freely mentioning the incident of slapping Chris Rock.
The slap to Chris Rock on the Oscars stage greatly affected Will Smith’s reputation
PHOTO: AFP
In 2022, Will Smith caused a stir when he stormed onto the Oscars stage to slap Chris Rock after the comedian teased his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, about her appearance. The moment immediately exploded on social media, causing the Bad Boys star to receive a lot of mixed comments and was banned from appearing at the Oscars for 10 years.
In recent times, Will Smith has been quite private, focusing on investing in a new music project and has just released his 5th studio album, Based on a True Story, on March 28. Among the 14 songs on the new album, the opening track Int. Barbershop – Day attracted more attention when it contained many details mentioning the incident when this actor slapped Chris Rock on the Oscar 2022 stage.
The 57-year-old star described the album as his most personal and influential work, emphasizing the main message of finding resilience in difficult times. After its release, this product received many negative reviews from audiences as well as critics with comments such as lack of creativity, lack of energy, superficiality…
Over the past three years, Will Smith has spent time reflecting, examining himself and discovering his inner self
PHOTO: AP
Appearing on Sirius XM’s morning show recently, Will Smith shared what he has experienced in the past three years. The Men in Black star confided: “I have spent more time alone in the past three years than I have in my entire life. I have been in touch with parts of myself that I don’t want people to see… things like fear, anger, sadness, confusion”.
A month after the Chris Rock slap, the 1968-born star spent time in India practicing yoga and meditation. The 4-time Grammy winner shared with AP that in recent years, he has really delved into the parts of himself and asked deep questions. And the latest album is the first step in the process of self-reflection. “Every song is about a part of me that I’ve discovered or wanted to explore, something I want to share. It’s the most complete music I’ve ever written,” he shared.
Will Smith says adversity not only challenges but also pushes his creativity
PHOTO: AFP
Meanwhile, Omarr Rambert – executive producer of Will Smith’s album, shared that after the Oscar slap, the actor was treated like a villain by the internet for the first time. “Right now, he just wants to be ‘vulnerable’ and honest and show other sides of himself,” Rambert shared. Last summer, Will Smith returned to the big screen with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which grossed more than $400 million at the global box office. Rambert said the success of the new work helped the actor become more positive and confident in expressing himself fully.
Along with that, Smith also began planning to tour this summer in Morocco, England and some stops in Europe. Additionally, it’s been rumored that the veteran star is in talks with Netflix for another comedy project, but a representative declined to comment on the matter.
Will Smith and wife – actress Jada Pinkett Smith are still together after many storms
PHOTO: AFP
In his personal life, Will Smith is still maintaining his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith despite many storms and cracks. In 2023, the Girls Trip actress admitted that they decided to live their own lives a few years ago and quietly separated. Rambert said that the couple is still very close. “They go on vacation together. They have date nights together. They have family dinners, like a traditional family. The difference is that everyone in the family has their own career, which makes things difficult,” he shared. Rambert said that the adversity Smith faced brought their family closer together.