Will Smith. Tamas Kovacs/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
What is a prescient thought? Will SmithIn an interview taped prior to his headline-making appearance at 2022 Oscars, he spoke about protecting his family.
The Ali star, 53, detailed the realizations that led to his two-year break from acting in an episode from season 4 of Netflix’s My Next Guest Doesn’t Need to Be Introduced by David LettermanThe film premiered Friday, May 20th.
“I wasn’t miserable as much as everything kind of lost its luster,” the Oscar winner explained. “I think it’s the natural journey of humanity when we realize that the material world is completely, utterly and totally incapable of sustaining our happiness.”
When host David Letterman clarified that Smith meant nothing could give him satisfaction “beyond the essentials of protecting yourself and your family,” the Philadelphia native replied: “You can’t protect your family, right? That’s not real.”
The “Miami” rapper went on to say that he’d learned to acknowledge the fact that all his success could instantly disappear. “Protection and safety is an illusion,” he added. “You have to learn to live with the reality that [at]Anything can happen in a matter of seconds. With that reality, how do you get here? And how can you be joyful and be here?”
A disclaimer was placed at the beginning of the episode, stating that it was recorded before Smith’s 2022 Academy Awards ceremony in march. Chris RockAfter the comedian, 57 made a joke about Jada pinkett Smith‘s hair. When the Men in BlackStar accepted his best actor award later in the evening. He opened his speech by commenting about how Richard Williams was a “fierce defender of his family.” (Smith played Williams, now 80, in King Richard.)
“In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world,” the Seven PoundsThe actor was later removed from the awards show and banned for the next ten years. “Making this film, I was able to protect. Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] Demi [Singleton]These are the two actresses who played Venus Serena [Williams]. I’m being called on in my life to love people. And to protect people and to be a river to my people.”
During his interview with Letterman, 75, Smith indicated that some of his recent introspection came about because of the 2016 death of his father, Willard Carroll Smith Sr. “That was the first time I felt like I was free to be able to talk about my experiences,” the Gemini Man star explained.
The Bel-Air: The Fresh Prince alum also opened up about his 2021 memoir, Will, in which he discussed the way his parents’ relationship shaped him as an adult.
“When I was 9 years old, I saw my father beat up my mother, and I didn’t do anything,” Smith told the formerLate Show host. “And that just left a traumatic impression of myself as a coward.”
The Wild Wild West star noted that he’s been able to use his emotional revelations in his work. “Life is so exciting to me right now, because I can reach people differently than I’ve ever been able to reach people, largely because of my pain,” he said. “I’m really ready to dive into my art in a way that I think will be hopefully fulfilling for me and helpful for the human family.”
Season 4 My Next Guest Doesn’t Need to Be Introduced by David LettermanNetflix is streaming it now
