The famous actor and musician took the stage at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, just before the big match between Mexico and Panama.
Best known for his role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith entertained the crowd of over 68,000 with an energetic performance, featuring some of his most popular songs.
Mexico won the CONCACAF Nations League final with a 2-1 victory over Panama in an exciting match. Raúl Jiménez was the hero, scoring both goals for Mexico, including a dramatic penalty in stoppage time, to secure their first-ever Nations League trophy.
The win was a big moment for coach Javier Aguirre, marking a successful return for him while also ending the United States’ three-year dominance as champions.
In the third-place match, Canada defeated Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT team 2-1. Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi found the net for Canada, overturning an early goal from Patrick Agyemang.
Following their first Nations League win, Mexico will be preparing for the Gold Cup 2025, which will take place from June 14 to July 6.
Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr has captured the spotlight with a remarkable meeting with Hollywood icon Will Smith on July 16 in Rome.
Following her dynamic performance at a Coldplay concert in Italy, Ayra was seen mingling with Will Smith at a stylish rooftop venue in the city.
Dressed in a bold crop top and shorts, Ayra shared a heartfelt hug with Will, radiating excitement as they connected.
This high-profile interaction led to a significant career milestone for Ayra Starr: she has secured a multimillion-dollar contract to compose the soundtrack for Will Smith’s forthcoming film, earning her over $500,000.
The collaboration has generated a buzz among fans worldwide, who are eagerly anticipating the creative synergy between Ayra Starr and Will Smith.
Actor Will Smith made headlines with a surprising incident at the 2022 Oscars when he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage.
Since then, the 55-year-old actor has pivoted back to music, debuting his first new song since 2017 at the BET Awards.
Performing alongside collaborators Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, Smith presented his single “You Can Make It,” released just days earlier.
Encircled by flames, Smith shared a message of resilience before performing: “I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but whatever’s going on in your life, I’m here to tell you you can make it.” Gospel artist Kirk Franklin joined him, reinforcing the song’s themes of overcoming adversity.
Smith previewed the song on social media, expressing his excitement for its debut at the BET Awards.
Reflecting on his journey, he noted, “Through some of my darkest moments, music has always been there for me—to lift me and help me grow. It’s my humble wish that it can do the same for you and bring you all the joy and light you deserve.”
From his early days as part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Smith found fame with “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and went on to star in blockbuster films like “Bad Boys” and “Independence Day.”
Watch video below:
'You can make it': Will Smith drops brand new song at BET Awards
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has set social media ablaze on May 28 after a video of him speaking English surfaced on X (formerly Twitter).
Widely regarded as the world’s best footballer, Messi is known for his preference for Spanish, having spent most of his professional career in Spain, Argentina, and a few years in Paris.
Even at international events like the FIFA awards and Ballon d’Or ceremonies, the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) typically avoids speaking English.
However, in a surprising twist, Messi was heard speaking a two-line English sentence in a trailer for “Bad Boys,” an American movie.
This rare occurrence has taken the internet by storm, with fans expressing their astonishment.
American actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, stars of the “Bad Boys” franchise, interacted with Messi, leading to this unexpected revelation.
One fan exclaimed, “Did Lionel Messi just speak English?” while another noted, “Leo Messi spoke in English for the first time.”
Messi’s newfound English proficiency could be influenced by his current tenure with Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer team in the United States, suggesting he is learning the language to better integrate with his American surroundings.
Interestingly, Messi’s English-speaking abilities are not entirely new.
According to a UK news portal, Joe.co.uk, his Inter Miami teammate Julian Gressel recounted his surprise at hearing Messi speak fluent English during a game.
On the Player Manager podcast, Gressel shared: “Between me and Leo, we’ve had this running joke since the first few days. I asked him if he speaks any English, and he said, ‘no, not really, your Spanish is probably better than my English.’ But then, during a game, he spoke to me in English.”
Gressel continued: “Messi covered his mouth to avoid cameras and instructed me in English, saying, ‘now, we change. You stay, and Jordi (Alba) runs, Jordi goes more in behind.’ Afterward, he joked, ‘English, pretty good, no?’ I was like, ‘yes, very, very good! I understood everything!’”
Messi’s English revelation has provided a new dimension to his already legendary status, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to his current role in the American soccer landscape.
Lionel Messi has tested his acting skills and spoken English in a promotional video for the upcoming film “Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die,” alongside Will Smith.
As the fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise prepares to hit cinemas worldwide, the promotional campaign is in full swing.
Will Smith and co-star Martin Lawrence have enlisted help from Miami’s finest to generate excitement for the release.
NBA superstar Jimmy Butler, a key figure for the Miami Heat, features prominently in the latest teaser video.
The highly anticipated film, officially titled “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” marks the fourth installment in the beloved action-comedy franchise that kicked off in 1995.
Initially brought to life by director Michael Bay in the first two films, the franchise took a thrilling turn with “Bad Boys for Life,” directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who are returning to helm the latest chapter.
Joining Smith and Lawrence in this adrenaline-fueled ride are Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Rhea Seehorn, and Joe Pantoliano. Adding to the star-studded cast is the talented Tiffany Haddish in an undisclosed role, further ramping up the excitement for fans.
The franchise, known for its gripping narratives and explosive action sequences, saw a successful resurgence with “Bad Boys for Life,” which hit theaters just before the global pandemic, earning a staggering $426.5 million worldwide.
Now, after a long wait, “Bad Boys 4” is gearing up for its theatrical release on June 7.
Fans can expect a thrilling continuation of the saga as the plot unfolds with the complexities of family ties and high-stakes investigations. Stay tuned for what promises to be another blockbuster hit from the iconic “Bad Boys” franchise.
In “Bad Boys for Life,” Mike was on the hit list of a young man, Armando (Jacob Scipio), whose mother Isabel (Kate del Castillo) tasked him with murdering those responsible for the death of his father, a drug king pin. The third film leaves viewers with the revelation that Armando is actually Mike’s son, and a credits scene hints at father and son potentially working together in some capacity. “Bad Boys 4” is set to be released in theatres June 7.
Famous actor Will Smith surprised a man from Guinea by giving him a phone call. The man had traveled across Africa on a bicycle to go to university.
Last year, Mamadou Safayou Barry made news for walking a really long way – about 4,000 kilometers (or 2,500 miles).
In a video call to Cairo, where Mr Barry is studying, Smith told him he was very impressed by his hard work and gave him a new bike and a laptop as a gift.
“I want everyone to hear your story,” the main actor in many hit movies said.
In a video on Smith’s YouTube channel, the student seemed really surprised to be talking to the Men in Black actor. “Look, it’s Will Smith. ” Barry said with a smile. “I really like many of the movies you’ve made. ”
“I don’t know how to thank you. I really don’t know how to thank you,” he said when he found out about the presents.
Smith’s team reached out to the media in September after Mr. Barry’s story was published. They said it had moved the actor. They wanted to find out how to talk to him.
In May of last year, a 25-year-old person left Guinea in West Africa to go to Al-Azhar University in Egypt. They were hoping to get accepted there.
The man, who is married and has one child, couldn’t pay for a plane ticket. So, he rode his bike for four months through Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Chad instead.
During his journey, he was stopped and held by the police three times without any good reason – two times in Burkina Faso and one time in Togo.
However, things changed for Mr. Barry when he got to Chad. A reporter talked to Mr. Barry and shared his story on the internet. This led some kind people to pay for a plane ticket for him to go to Egypt.
When he arrived in Cairo, he was given the chance to go to university to study Islamic subjects and then study engineering. He also got a full scholarship.
“When you decide to go on a trip, the universe works in your favor to support you,” Smith told Mr. Barry, who was smiling, quoting author Paulo Coelho.
In the video, someone is pushing a bicycle and giving it to the student, also giving him the laptop.
Smith gave vouchers so he can buy flights to Guinea to see his family, or so his family can come visit him.
Jada Pinkett Smith has credited the now-infamous Oscars slap involving Will Smith and Chris Rock with saving her marriage.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Jada expressed that the incident was a pivotal moment that made her realise she would never leave Will. She described the aftermath of the incident as the “holy slap,” emphasising that positive outcomes followed the controversial moment.
Reflecting on the incident, Jada stated, “That moment of the sh*t hitting the fan is when you see where you really are.
“After all those years trying to figure out if I would leave Will’s side, it took that slap for me to see I would never leave him. Who knows where our relationship would be if that hadn’t happened?”
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars in March 2022.Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
Jada highlighted the positive developments that transpired after the incident and expressed gratitude for attending the ceremony, almost missing it. These comments come on the heels of a recent interview in which she conveyed her desire to be with Will “forever.”
This sentiment aligns with Will’s unexpected appearance at her book tour in October, during which he acknowledged the challenges in their relationship, characterising it as “brutiful” — a fusion of brutal and beautiful.
The couple has consistently been candid about the highs and lows in their enduring and tumultuous relationship.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been open about sharing details of their private lives with fans.
While you may be familiar with the headlines about Will’s Oscars incident and the couple’s separation, there’s one surprising detail you might not know – Will Smith isn’t actually called Will Smith.
Jada Pinkett Smith, in a previous birthday post, revealed his true name. In October, amidst revelations about their secret separation, Jada shared a throwback family photo in matching white outfits, featuring Will, Jaden, Willow, and Trey, the son from Will’s previous marriage to Sheree Zampino.
Jada wrote in the caption: “I am so glad you were born on this day. Without you I would not have experienced the greatest joy of my life… the love of our family.
“On this Divine assignment we’ve chosen to walk together, I am grateful for the wells of laughter along the trails of tears we’ve shared.
“Thank you for helping me learn to embrace it all … with a smile. Here’s to 100+ more birthdays full of growth, acceptance and joy.”
In the opening of that caption, she addressed him by his full name – drumroll – Willard.
Yep, probably not what many fans of the King Richard actor were expecting as they commented on X: “I just found out today that Will Smith’s full name is Willard not William.”
Baffled by the revelation, they said: “Will Smith’s first name is Willard?!?!?!?!? Wtf…”
Pointing out what most of us were thinking, another quipped: “Why did I think Will Smith’s full name is William and not Willard?”
“I was today years old when I learned that Will Smith’s name isn’t short for William but Willard,” one wrote.
And plenty echoed: “Will Smith real name is Willard, lmao I didn’t know that,” and: “Bruh never knew Will Smith’s real name was Willard. That’s so funny.”
Taking after his father, the actor known as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air bears the full name Willard Carroll Smith II – certainly sounds more sophisticated than just Will Smith, to be fair.
Brother Bilaal, a former associate of Hollywood actor Will Smith, alleges that the Academy Award winner is bisexual.
In a recent interview, Bilaal claimed that he unintentionally witnessed Smith engaging in a sexual encounter with fellow actor Duane Martin.
Duane Martin, who was married to actress Tisha Campbell, tied the knot with her on August 17, 1996, and they share two sons. However, the couple filed for divorce in February 2018, and the divorce was finalized in December 2020.
“I open the door to Duane’s dressing room and that’s when I see Duane having anal sex with Will”, Bilaal claimed.
“It was a couch and, um, Will was bent over on the couch and Duane was standing up. Killin’ him. Murderin’. It was murder in there.”
Speculations about a romantic connection between Smith and Martin have been circulating for years. Despite persistent rumors, both men have consistently denied any romantic involvement or being gay.
Additionally, their significant others, Jada Pinkett Smith and Martin’s ex-wife, Tisha Campbell, have publicly refuted these rumors, emphasizing that they are not true.
“I mean, a million things were out there,” Pinkett Smith told host Hoda Kotb.
“No. You know, that’s part of it. I would say that none of that’s true. I definitely can understand why there’d be misunderstandings,” she added, “but none of it’s true.”
American actor Will Smith has expressed his commitment to continue supporting his wife, Jada Pinkett, for the rest of his life, despite her recent revelation on a talk show that they have been separated for seven years.
Recently, Jada Pinkett revealed in a preview clip from her upcoming NBC News primetime special with Hoda Kotb that she and her husband have been living apart since 2016.
However, speaking at a press briefing, Will said Jada is “the best friend I have ever had on this planet”, stressing that he would continue to support her.
He described their marriage as a “slappy public experiment in unconditional love.”
“Our union is a slappy public experiment in unconditional love. Can you love somebody forever, no matter what? Can you love somebody for the rest of your life even when you don’t remember them?
“Jada is the best friend I have ever had on this planet and I will support her for the rest of my life,” AfroNews quoted Will Smith as saying.
“Jada is the best friend I have ever had and I will support her for the rest of my life”- Will Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith has shared that she and Will Smith are putting in significant effort to mend their marriage.
This comes after her recent revelation that they had separated in 2016, even though they continued to appear together in public.
In an interview with NBC, Pinkett Smith emphasised that they are currently focused on “healing the relationship.” Their relationship made headlines last year when Will Smith made a public display by confronting and slapping the Oscars host, Chris Rock.
He yelled “Keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth”.
Pinkett Smith’s revelation about the Hollywood actors’ relationship made headlines across the world.
Speaking to NBC’s Today Show, she said, “We are in a place now that we are in a deep healing space.
“And we are really concentrating on healing the relationship between us…
“We are working very hard at bringing our relationship together back to a lifelong partnership.”
She explained, “He can’t be this perfect, idealised husband. I have to be able to accept him for the human he is.
“He has to accept me for the human I am. And we want to love each other there.”
When asked if the couple might live in the same house again, she agreed they might.
On Wednesday, as part of a book launch, she said she had considered a legal divorce but could not go through with it because she was determined to work through it.
She attributed the breakdown of the relationship to “a lot of things” and by 2016, they were “exhausted with trying”.
Rumours and questions about the state of the couple’s marriage had arisen in 2020, following a candid discussion on Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook show, Red Table Talk.
During the conversation, it was revealed that Pinkett Smith had been in what she described as an “entanglement” with artist August Alsina.
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith first crossed paths in 1994 when she auditioned for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Their relationship evolved, leading to their marriage in 1997.
The couple shares two children,Jaden Smith and Willow Smith, in addition to Trey Smith, who is Will Smith’s son from his first marriage.
Will Smith is now speaking out and sharing his thoughts about his seven-year separation from Jada Pinkett Smith, as well as her upcoming revealing memoir titled “Worthy.”
In a recent profile interview conducted by the New York Times, Jada candidly discusses numerous revelations featured in her forthcoming book, including her struggles with past suicidal thoughts, depression, her use of hallucinogens to explore her mental health issues, and the unique dynamics of her marriage with Will.
Her memoir is a deeply honest and unfiltered examination of the inner challenges she has faced. Smith expressed his sentiments to the New York Times via email, acknowledging that reading the book served as a powerful reminder of his wife’s incredible strength.
“When you’ve been with someone for more than half of your life, a sort of emotional blindness sets in,” the Oscar-winning actor wrote. “You can all too easily lose your sensitivity to their hidden nuances and subtle beauties.”
Will and Jada. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic
In an intimate conversation with Today’s Hoda Kotb last week, the 52-year-old actress delved into her forthcoming memoir, discussing a multitude of eye-opening revelations from the book. Among these revelations was the revelation that Jada and Will have been living separately for the past seven years.
“Yes, it was not a divorce on paper, but it was a divorce,” Jada told Hoda.
The Girls Trip star disclosed that she and Will, 55, have been leading “completely separate lives” since 2016, even though they never officially divorced.
Through the years rumors swirled about the couple, but Jada said, “I can definitely understand why there would be misunderstandings, but none of it’s true.”
The separation started seven years ago, as confirmed by Jada during the interview. It has been a long-standing arrangement that the couple has managed to maintain discreetly, away from the public eye.
When asked why they chose to maintain this arrangement, Jada said, “I think just not being ready yet. Still trying to figure out between the two of us how to be in a partnership, and in regards to how do we present that to people, you know? And we hadn’t figured that out.”
“I think by the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying. I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be,” Jada said, adding that she made a promise to herself and Will to never allow their marriage to result in a divorce. “I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through whatever. And I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”
Divorce, at least at the present time, is off the table. “We don’t want to,” Jada said. “We love our family. And we love each other. It’s more of a life partnership. Ten years from now, Hoda, who knows?”
Worthy will be available wherever books are sold on Oct. 17.
American actor Will Smith has finally shared his thoughts on the recent revelations made by his estranged wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, about their 25-year marriage. He expressed that these revelations have had a profound impact on him, allowing him to gain a new understanding of Pinkett Smith’s resilience, intelligence, and compassion.
Smith acknowledged that spending over half of one’s life with a person can lead to emotional blindness, causing individuals to overlook the hidden nuances and subtle beauties of their partner in such long-term relationships. This perspective provides insight into the complexity of their marriage.
In a New York Times interview released Saturday, Smith finally responded to all of Pinkett Smith’s revelations, saying the memoir “kind of woke him up.”and that he has now realised she is more “resilient, clever and compassionate than he’d understood”.
He added: “When you’ve been with someone for more than half of your life, a sort of emotional blindness sets in, and you can all too easily lose your sensitivity to their hidden nuances and subtle beauties.”
Smith’s response follows an interview with Pinkett Smith conducted by Hoda Kotb, during which she revealed their seven-year-long separation. Pinkett Smith made this disclosure while promoting her upcoming memoir, “Worthy,” scheduled for release on Tuesday, as reported by the New York Post.
In the interview, Pinkett Smith shared that in 2016, their marriage had become demanding, with both of them stuck in idealized images of each other. However, her commitment to avoiding divorce and her determination to confront any challenges kept her going. She emphasized that despite the difficulties, she remained resolute in honoring that promise.
Pinkett Smith revealed that, with her husband’s support, they have made concentrated efforts to mend their relationship. She acknowledged their profound love for one another and their determination to redefine what love means for them as a couple.
Pinkett Smith and her Smith, who got married in 1997, have two children together, Jaden and Willow.
Comedian and actor Chris Rock reportedly dislikes being continually entangled in controversies involving stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. More than a year after the incident where the Oscar-winning actor slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, the comedian is said to be frustrated that Jada keeps referencing him in her interviews and promoting her upcoming memoir, “Worthy.”
In one interview, Jada claimed that Chris Rock had once asked her out on a date, mistakenly thinking that she had separated from Will due to divorce rumors. This comment has apparently irked Chris Rock, and he wishes for Jada to refrain from mentioning him in her interviews and public discussions. This situation highlights the complexities of public figures’ interactions and the repercussions of their public statements and actions.
A source told Daily Mail: “Chris hates that she keeps bringing it up and bringing up the other revelations about Chris asking her on a date and all of that.”
“Chris has said his piece on the entire Will Smith slap, but now with these new revelations from Jada that her and Will have been living separate lives it is just another WTF moment in the whole saga from these past few years between Chris, her, and Will,” the source added.
The informant says of the comedian: “He is a relatively private person and was just getting to a point where people may have started to move on, but now it is back in the limelight, and it’s just frustrating that everything is coming back to the forefront.” The so-called insider added: “Chris is over it and would actually love for her to keep his name out of her damn mouth.”
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Jada said: “I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce.” The mother of two recalled, “So he called me and basically he was like, ‘I’d love to take you out.’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Well, aren’t you and Will getting a divorce?’ I was like, ‘No. Chris, those are just rumors.’ He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that.”
In the same interview, the “Gotham” alum also revealed that she hasn’t talked to Chris since Will slapped him at the 2022 Academy Awards and explained what she thinks might be the roots of the misunderstanding between them. In another interview, Jada claimed that Will hadn’t called her his “wife” before the Oscars incident.
Speaking to NBC’s Hoda Kotb, she expressed her confusion when her estranged husband defended her against Chris’ joke, “What is going on? Now, first of all, I’m really shocked. ‘Cause, mind you, I’m not there. We haven’t called each other husband or wife in a long time.” “I’m like, ‘What is going on right now?’ ” Jada continued. ” ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth,’ right? And now I’m really worried for Will, because I don’t know what’s going on.”
Throwback to when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars for making a joke about his wife Jada Smith pic.twitter.com/g6NfDYWvW3
Celebrity couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been living separately for the past 7 years, a fact that Jada recently disclosed in her new memoir. She confirmed this information in interviews with People Magazine and ‘Today,’ revealing that their lives have been on separate paths since 2016, and they still maintain separate residences.
Jada Pinkett Smith also revealed that they were already separated when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars last year. This incident brought their relationship dynamics into the public eye, which had long been the subject of rumors and speculation. Jada admitted that she was initially shocked by the violent moment, thinking it was a skit at first.
She further acknowledged that she and Will have been maintaining a facade of a committed couple for a significant amount of time. They continued to present a united front at public events following their 2016 separation and publicly denied any issues when questioned.
The revelation of their complete separation is a new development, although the crack in their relationship became public when Jada confessed to having an “entanglement” with family friend August Alsina a few years ago. At the time, Alsina claimed that Will had given his approval for the situation. However, Jada has chosen not to disclose the specific reasons that led to their uncoupling, stating only that there were “a lot of things” that preceded their breakup.
Jada Pinkett Smith also mentioned that she hasn’t been able to bring herself to divorce Will, as she remains committed to “working through anything.” This rationale may seem perplexing to some and doesn’t provide a clear explanation for their current situation.
In an exclusive clip from her upcoming @NBCNews primetime special with @HodaKotb, Jada Pinkett Smith reveals her current relationship status with Will Smith, ahead of the release of Pinkett Smith’s memoir “Worthy.” pic.twitter.com/hMoAwi3ETz
Jada Pinkett Smith is the wife of the multi-talented entertainer Will Smith. Their family members are all prominent figures in the entertainment industry, each contributing at different levels of success.
Despite being married to one of the wealthiest individuals in the entertainment world, Jada has amassed a significant personal fortune during her acting career. Notable roles in films like The Matrix series, The Nutty Professor, Madagascar movies, Bad Moms, and Girls Trip have bolstered her earnings.
Though estimations can vary, Jada’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million, with a portion of her wealth attributed to her marriage to Will Smith, who has consistently been among Hollywood’s highest-earning actors.
Early life
Jada was born to Adrienne Bandfield-Jones, a nurse, and Rosbol Pinkett Jr, who ran a construction company. Her mother had her when she was still in high school. Jada was raised with the assistance of her grandmother, who noticed her talent in performing. She enrolled her in piano and dance lessons and eventually, Jada ended up at the Baltimore School for the Arts where she majored in dance and theater. She also became friends with rap star Tupac Shakur, who was her classmate.
Early career
Her career in acting started when she landed small roles in television shows like “True Colors”, “Doogie Howser MD” and “21 Jump Street”. She also starred in many episodes of the sitcom “A Different World.”
In 1993, she got the opportunity to act in the movie, “Menace II Society.” She also acted in “A Low Down Dirty Shame” where her performance gained her a lot of attention and positive reviews. She went on to star in several movies, including being the lead character in some of the movies.
However, Jada’s breakthrough came in 1996 when she was brought on board to remake “The Nutty Professor”, in which she portrayed Eddie Murphy’s love interest. The movie reportedly became a complete success, recording $25 million in its first weekend and bringing in more than $274 million worldwide. The success of “The Nutty Professor” saw her being offered big roles, starring in movies like “Kingdom Come” and being in two installments of “The Matrix” series.
Aside from acting, Jada is also a singer, songwriter, and businesswoman, with a music production company, 100% Women, and a clothing line, Maja. In 2015, she became one of the founding investors of an energy storage company. She and her husband are also into real estate, owning about 10 properties.
The comedian Chris Rock wants to be clear about one thing: Will Smith’s notorious Oscars slap hurt.
During a live Netflix comedy show, Rock, 58, went into great detail about the 2022 Academy Awards incident.
“You know what people say, they say, ‘words hurt,’” Rock said. “Anybody that say words hurt has never been punched in the face.”
Will Smith has since said “bottled” rage led to his actions.
Because Mr. Smith was permitted to attend the ceremony and later earned his first-ever Oscar for Best Actor, the altercation served as a cultural litmus test for discussions about America’s tolerance for casual violence.
Rock was lauded for keeping his cool in the wake of the incident.
The comedian addressed a variety of topics in Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, the streaming service’s inaugural live comedy performance, including woke culture, Meghan Markle, and politics.
“I’m going to try to do the show without offending anyone,” Rock said, in a nod to the Smith altercation. “Because you never know who might get triggered.”
Later he added, America “is so screwed up right now if the Russians came here right now, half the country would go ‘let’s hear them out’.”
But he saved the best for last and used the final moments of the show to address the incident with Will Smith.
“People are like, ‘Did it hurt?’ It still hurts! I got Summertime ringing in my ears,” Rock said, referring to Smith’s 1991 single.
“I took that hit like (Manny) Pacquiao,” Rock boasted to cheers from the crowd.
In a nod to the show’s title, Rock said he believes Smith practices “selective outrage” and that the slap had more to do with Smith and his wife, Jada’s, relationship struggles, than his Oscar’s joke.
The couple have been candid about the ups and downs of their relationship and even publicly addressed their struggles on Jada’s Facebook Watch show, Red Table Talk.
“We’ve all been cheated on, everybody in here been cheated on, none of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us on television,” Rock joked. “She hurt him way more than he hurt me.”
Social media lit up with reactions to Rock finally addressing the incident, with many noting how artists like Rock often laugh through their pain.
Others felt the comedian’s jokes about rooting for the slave owners in Will Smith’s latest film, Emancipation, were a step too far.
In a mic drop moment, Rock ended the special by addressing why he chose not to fight back.
“I got parents! Because I was raised!” Rock said. “And you know what my parents taught me? Don’t fight in front of white people.”
American comedian, Chris Rock is ready to let loose on America Actor Will Smith during his live global Netflix standup special this Saturday after months of honing jokes about his in famous Oscar slap, according to reports.
The special this Saturday comes nearly a year after Smith walked onstage at the Academy Awards while Rock was presenting and smacked him across the face.
The “Spiral” star has mostly stayed mum on the attack except for jokes he has been trying out on stand-up audiences in his “Ego Death World Tour.”
In July, Rock joked he was slapped by “Suge Smith,” comparing Smith to the former Death Row Records co-founder, Marion “Suge” Knight. Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018 following a fatal confrontation in Los Angeles in 2015.
Chris Rock reportedly plans to open up about the Will Smith Oscar slap during his Netflix special this weekend.
Netflix promised the “seven-second delay button is taking a night off” for Rock’s “Selective Outrage” special, which will be the platform’s first-ever live event, in a release earlier this month.
Rock’s special will be flanked by a pre-show featuring Arsenio Hall, Amy Schumer, Paul McCartney, George Lopez, Ice-T, Jerry Seinfeld and Matthew McConaughey among others, and a post-show hosted by Dana Carvey and David Spade.
Chris Rock will hit back the way he does best, on stage.
The legendary comic is set to perform a live standup special on Netflix on March 4, where he’ll address Will Smith slapping him at the Oscars, according to Netflix.
While Rock has alluded to the incident in short quips in his stand-up performances over the past year, he’ll address it at greater length for the first time.
The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Rock workshopped the material for the special in January during an arena show in Charleston, where he was on the bill with Dave Chappelle. Dressed in all white, he addressed the now-infamous moment with Smith about a third of the way through his set, according to a source in attendance who spoke with CNN.
Rock talked about collective outrage after the Oscars incident and made several jokes.
“The thing people wanna know … did it hurt? Hell yeah it hurt. He played Muhammad Ali! I played Pookie (in ‘New Jack City’). Even in animated movies I’m a zebra, he’s a f—ing shark. I got hit so hard, I heard ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears,” Rock joked, according the source.
In another line, Rock talked about the difference in size between the two men.
“Will Smith is a big dude. I am not,” Rock said. “Will Smith is shirtless in his movies. If you see me in a movie getting open heart surgery, I’m gonna have a sweater on.”
“Chris Rock: Selective Outrage” will stream live on Netflix at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, a week before this year’s Academy Awards.
For his role in the AppleTV+ movie Emancipation, Hollywood legend Will Smith earned the Best Actor award at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.
The film recounts the tale of Peter, a runaway slave who struggles against a cruel Louisiana plantation owner to gain his freedom.
Smith’s portrayal in the movie has received praise from both critics and viewers, and his victory at the NAACP Image Awards is evidence of his acting prowess and commitment.
The NAACP Image Awards, which honour the accomplishments of African Americans in literature, music, film, and television, have long served as an environment for advancing social equity and diversity.
Throughout his career, Smith has been a strong proponent of social justice and racial equality, using his celebrity to raise awareness of pressing problems and spur action.
His Best Actor award win at the NAACP Image Awards is a testament to his dedication to these principles and the entertainment business.
During his acceptance speech (which Variety reports Smith did not deliver in person), Smith dedicated his award to all who have battled for freedom and equality throughout history.
He also thanked fellow Emancipation cast members and crew for their devotion to the movie.
He then urged everyone to continue the struggle for justice and use their words to change the course of events.
o deal with the fallout and altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock, the 2023 Oscars committee have assembled a crisis team.
Viewers will remember the infamous incident between Rock and Smith after the former made an insensitive comment regarding Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith who was also in attendance at the awards ceremony.
The comment inspired Will Smith to stand up and slap Rock before retreating to his seat and verbally berating the comedian.
At the time, many viewers expressed shock and disappointment at the two actors’ actions on social media.
Following the shocking incident, the Oscars’ committee issued a statement condemning the event and adding that they did not support aggression or violence of any kind.
As stated previously, the Oscars assembled a crisis team in reaction to the slapping incident to handle the fallout and protect the awards ceremony’s longstanding reputation.
The team will work to minimise any harm to the Oscars’ image and make sure that the incident does not overshadow the program or inflict mental or physical harm to anyone in attendance.
The event serves as a reminder of the value of upholding professionalism and respect in stressful circumstances as well as the requirement that public figures such as celebrities control their feelings.
It also highlights the need for effective stress management strategies and the intense competition and pressure that can develop in the entertainment business.
Academy president Janet Yang said its response to the Will Smith slap was “inadequate”
A “crisis team” will be introduced at this year’s Oscars, to handle any real-time incidents as a response to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the 2022 ceremony.
Academy chief executive Bill Kramer told Time magazine the new unit had “run many scenarios” in the hope they will be “prepared for anything”.
“Because of last year, we’ve opened our minds to the many things that can happen at the Oscars,” he said.
They are now quicker to react, he said.
Academy president Janet Yang previously said the response to Smith’s altercation with Rock was not swift enough.
Smith slapped the comedian after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, which she shaved following an alopecia diagnosis. After returning to his seat, the actor repeatedly shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out your [expletive] mouth” at Rock.
Despite the incident, he remained at the ceremony and later collected the best actor Oscar for his performance in King Richard.
Although Smith later resigned from the Academy, it took several more days for the organisation to make a decision on his membership. He was ultimately banned from the Oscars gala and other Academy events for 10 years.
Kramer said the new team would be able to gather “very quickly” to issue a response on the night of the show itself.
“Let’s hope something doesn’t happen and we never have to use these [plans], but we already have frameworks in place that we can modify.”
Image caption, Andrea Riseborough was a surprise nominee for best actress for her performance in To Leslie
The crisis team has already been deployed, following the surprise best actress nomination for British actress Andrea Riseborough last month.
The star’s little-seen indie film To Leslie was an outsider in the Oscars race, but she secured a nomination after being championed by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Edward Norton.
Questions were raised over whether their endorsements contravened the Oscars’ rules on campaigning.
The Academy quickly responded that the issues did “not rise to the level that the film’s nomination should be rescinded”.
“You know, that happened on a Tuesday and, six days later, we were able to issue our formal statement from the board that really carved out a plan for us,” Kramer told Time.
Image caption, Bill Kramer: “Because of last year, we’ve opened our minds to the many things that can happen at the Oscars”
Asked about the ability to respond to “potential surprises” at this year’s ceremony, which will take place on 12 March, Kramer said having TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel as host was an asset.
“You want someone like Jimmy on stage who is used to dealing with live TV,” he said. “Things don’t always go as planned, so you have a host in place who can really pivot and manage those moments.”
He said he felt audiences “feel very safe and engaged with his energy”.
In 2017, Kimmel steered the Oscars back on track after La La Land was mistakenly announced as the winner of best picture.
“It hit me that I was the only one wearing a microphone, and I should probably go up there to sort it out,” said the chat show host in the aftermath of the incident.
Image caption, Jimmy Kimmel was Oscars host when La La Land was mistakenly given the best film Oscar in 2017 instead of MoonlightImage caption, Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall hosted last year’s awards
Last year’s awards were hosted by US comics Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer.
“It’s so important to have a host who knows how to handle live television and a live audience,” Kramer added, saying he hoped it was “the beginning of a lovely, long new relationship” with Kimmel.
Kramer, aware of dwindling TV audience figures, added that this year’s show would be “much more immersive, much more nominee-focused, and much more focused on all of the disciplines of filmmaking”.
Actor Will Smith has explained why he stayed away from films about slavery until emancipation.
After staying out of the spotlight for most of 2022 following the Oscarslap scandal, Will Smith has kicked his media appearances into high gear this past week. The actor is promoting his new Apple TV+ film, Emancipation. The film tells the story of the man in the widely recognized photo known as “Whipped Peter.” The photo showed the wounds on Peter’s back from being whipped and once it circulated throughout the country, it helped turn white Northerners against slavery. The film follows Peter as he flees a plantation and has to escape through dangerous swamps in Louisiana as cold-blooded hunters chase after him as he fights for his freedom.
Smith has historically not taken on any slavery roles throughout his career, and he told Complex during a brief conversation ahead of the movie’s release that the choice has been intentional. The actor said he didn’t want to show “Black folks in that light,” but felt like director Antoine Fuqua’s portrayal of this story was inspiring and had a meaning deeper than the suffering and degradation movies about slavery usually portray.
“Antoine didn’t make a movie about slavery,” Smith said. “It’s a movie about freedom, it’s a movie about love, it’s a movie about family, it’s a movie about faith, it’s a movie about endurance and gratitude, and it’s a movie about the power of the spirit of the African-American.”
African-American.”
Image via Apple TV+
The actor has been banned from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years following the incident involving Chris Rock earlier this year, and that is a shame. This is by far one of the strongest performances Smith has delivered in the course of his career and one that is deserving of all the recognition Hollywood has to offer. At first, it was reported that Apple would delay the film’s release until 2023 after the Oscars controversy, but the company went ahead with the original plan—giving Smith a necessary opportunity to reconcile with his fans.
Emancipation is currently playing in select theaters and hits Apple TV+ on Dec. 9. Check out our conversation with Will Smith below.
Image via Apple TV+
Will, this role had to be so grueling both mentally and physically. How do you get into the right headspace to play someone like Peter?
You know, as an actor you do your research, you learn the dialect, and you read everything you can read. But there’s a magic moment that you can’t manufacture, you can’t microwave, you just hope that the magic lightning strikes. That lightning of understanding. And it happened for me about six weeks out as we were preparing and the prop master was getting the size for the neck chains. I put the neck chains on and the wrists and so I have the chains on—it was the actual weight, the actual size—and he went to put the key in and the key didn’t work.
And there were about 15 minutes where I was actually locked in the chains and my heart is going crazy and I’m sitting there and there are people running around trying to find another key to get me out. And it just dawned on me that Peter didn’t have that. There was nobody running around to get Peter out and in that moment, that 15 minutes, I just got under the acting lightning strike of understanding that I needed to begin my deeper comprehension of Peter, the man.
Image via Apple TV+
The Whipped Peter photo is so historical and everybody can recognize it but people maybe aren’t familiar with his story. There are some questions about whether people fought back or not during slavery, and this is a reminder that there were people who fought back. Why was it important for you to portray this kind of person?
Yeah, it was critical for Antoine and I both, you know. The question was, “Could we make a movie set in this period that would be inspiring?” And in my career, it is a big part of why I avoided slavery, in general. I didn’t want Black folks—I didn’t want to show Black folks in that light. And then this film did something different. Antoine didn’t make a movie about slavery. It’s a movie about freedom, it’s a movie about love, it’s a movie about family, it’s a movie about faith, it’s a movie about endurance and gratitude, and it’s a movie about the power of the spirit of the African-American.
It’s not a movie solely dropping you into degradation and pulling you through, you know, the valley of suffering. He didn’t shy away from that but it’s also a movie that you leave inspired, you leave informed, and hopefully across the board, will leave with another click of understanding, a seed of understanding that could blossom into empathy and compassion.
For you Will, you’ve had a very interesting year, to say the least.
Oh goodness, yes. [Laughs.]
I know you have had screenings in D.C. and at Morehouse, and you have had people like Tyler Perry, Rihanna, and Dave Chappelle come out to support this movie. What does it mean for you to have your community show up for you at this time?
You know I really I don’t even take that as personal for me. It was like people were showing up for Peter, you know? It’s like Peter and I were together but it was like, Rihanna showed up and loved the movie.
The support is for the story and the ideas and I’m very happy to have that support but I’m bowing down to Peter on this one, and the material is so critical and so important and Antoine put it together in a way that is so undeniable that I’m getting credit for it but I’m giving it over completely to Peter and giving it over completely to Antoine. My gratitude and thanks is to them.
“If someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready,” the actor said in an interview.
Actor Will Smith said he understands why people might not want to see his upcoming movie.
Smith won the Best Actor Oscar earlier this year for his role in “King Richard,” but garnered more attention that night for slapping comedian Chris Rock, who made a joke onstage about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
As a result, he was banned from attending the Oscars for the next decade ― even though it’s possible he could be nominated and even win an award.
“Emancipation,” Smith’s first film since the slap, opens in theaters Dec. 2 before streaming on Apple TV a week later.
The film is loosely based on the life of an enslaved man named Gordon, whose scarred back was photographed in 1863 and was famously used by abolitionists to show the public just how brutal slavery was.
“Emancipation” is getting some Oscar buzz, but Smith said he understands if filmgoers have second thoughts about watching it considering his behavior at the last ceremony.
“I completely understand that if someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready,” Smith told film critic Kevin McCarthy in an interview clip posted on social media.
Smith said that he hopes the reaction to the slap doesn’t affect the film’s chances of success or the award opportunities for the other people who worked on the film.
“My deepest concern is my team — [director Antoine Fuqua] has done what I think is the greatest work of his entire career,” Smith said.
“I’m hoping that the material, the power of the film, the timeliness of the story — I’m hoping that the goodthat can be done — will open people’s hearts at a minimum to see and recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film,” he said.
You can watch the full clip below.
“I completely understand that if…someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready…My deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team.”
Will Smith has said his “bottled” rage led him to slap comedian Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars in March.
The actor has been interviewed for the first time since the incident, which he described as “a horrific night”.
Appearing on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, he said: “I was going through something that night, you know?
“Not that that justifies my behaviour at all.” Smith added that there were “many nuances and complexities to it”, but added: “I just – I lost it.”
Smith stormed the stage at the Hollywood award ceremony after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife’s shaved head. Jada Pinkett Smith has the hair loss condition alopecia.
‘I understand how shocking that was’
He had previously said his wife did not ask him to confront Rock.
“I guess what I would say is that you just never know what somebody’s going through,” he said, without elaborating on what he was referring to.
The interview on the late-night US TV talk show was the first time Smith had been publicly challenged about the attack.
“I understand how shocking that was for people… I was gone. That was a rage that had been bottled for a really long time,” he told Noah.
“That was a horrific night, as you can imagine.”
In July he posted a video on YouTube, answering questions that appeared to be written by fans about the Academy Awards. Prior to that, he had only issued written statements about the altercation.
He appeared on Monday evening’s episode of The Daily Show to promote his upcoming film Emancipation, to be released next week, making it eligible for next year’s Oscars.
Smith, who received this year’s best actor award after the slap, said the idea that his new the film would be “tainted” during the upcoming awards season by his actions was “killing me dead”.
The 54-year-old has been banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years, and has also resigned from the Academy, which organises the ceremony.
Asked in a separate interview what he would say to critics claiming it was too soon for him to be promoting his work, he replied: “I completely understand that if you know someone is not ready.
“I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready.
“My deepest concern is my team. The people on this team have done some of the best work their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalise my team.”
Letitia Wright has spoken out after her 2020 vaccinemisinformation controversy was mentioned in an article about how it and Brad Pitt and Will Smith’s “personal baggage” might have an impact on the upcoming slate of Academy Award nominations.
The article in question comes from the Hollywood Reporter and sees Wright’s performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cited alongside Smith in Emancipation and Pitt in Babylon as being examples of performances attached to “personal controversies” of each respective actor.
Smith, of course, slapped Chris Rock at the prior edition of the Oscars ceremony. In October, Angelina Jolie was reported to have accused Pitt of abuse against her and their children in a court filing.
In Instagram Stories updates on Monday, Wright—who previously apologized for sharing what was widely criticized as an anti-vaccine video—called the decision to include her controversy in a piece about Smith and Pitt “incredibly disrespectful.” She also accused the outlet of having a “personal vendetta” against her.
“How dare you,” she wrote in one post. “You mentioned my name alongside men who have been accused of abuse [and] sexual misconduct. This is vile behavior.” Notably, prior Oscars winners like Roman Polanski and Woody Allen were also mentioned in the THR piece.
In a follow-up post, Wright elaborated further while also noting she was now on “the other side” of her controversy.
“I’ve remained silent as the world told me to kill myself two years ago for a video I posted and [apologized] for,” she said “I kept my head down and focused on my craft.”
See more from Wright, who also briefly addressed the 2020 controversy in a recent Guardian interview (“I have apologized and I have moved on”), below.
Image via Letitia Wright on Instagram
Image via Letitia Wright on Instagram
Among the still-in-progress discourse surrounding 2023 Oscars buzz, Angela Bassett’s performance in the Black Panther sequel has also been mentioned as among those potentially vying for the Best Supporting Actress category.
For a rundown of all the Easter eggs and hidden references you may have missed with your first viewing of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, hit this link. The Ryan Coogler-directed blockbuster is in theaters now.
Will Smith’s new film Emancipation hits theaters in two weeks, which for a star of his caliber, typically means he would be on an all-out press blitz right now ahead of awards season. Obviously, the media rollout is a bit more complicated given the fact Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars months ago and is banned from Academy events for a decade. Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua spoke to Vanity Fair and said this movie is more important than the drama surrounding its star.
“The film to me is bigger than that moment. Four hundred years of slavery is bigger than one moment. My hope is that people will see it that way and watch the movie and be swept away with the great performance by Will and all the real hard work that the whole crew did,” Fuqua shared. (Watch the latest trailer for the film, which was released in the wake of Fuqua’s interview, below.)
However, Fuqua was stunned by the Oscars incident after spending two years with Smith making the Civil War drama.
“I haven’t met a nicer human being. I’m being honest about it. He was kind to everyone on the set. Will would go around and hug and shake hands — we had 300-something extras and military. Marines. We had to stop Will from doing that because of COVID,” the director explained.
“So, I saw a different person than that one moment in time, and so my reaction was that particular moment is very foreign to me when it comes to Will Smith. I have nothing but amazing things to say about Will Smith, really genuinely,” Fuqua continued. “You can ask anybody that worked on the movie, they’ll tell you the same. Nicest person I’ve ever met in my life. Chris Rock — I know Chris — Chris is a good guy too. I’ve spent time with Chris, and I think it’s an unfortunate event and I hope we can move forward and get past it.”
After “the slap,” it was unclear how Smith’s career would be impacted. Hours after he hit Rock in the face for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, the actor won his first ever Oscar. But production on a Netflix project and Bad Boys 4 were reportedly paused and slowed down. Apple TV+ stayed mum on whether Emancipation would be released as planned.
“Of course I wanted people to see the film. My conversation was always, ‘Isn’t 400 years of slavery, of brutality, more important than one bad moment?’ We were in Hollywood, and there’s been some really ugly things that have taken place, and we’ve seen a lot of people get awards that have done some really nasty things,” Fuqua told the magazine. “So I think Apple considered all those things, and we discussed a lot of those things. Then a decision was made by the people in charge of distribution and the money at Apple — and I’m grateful, I’m really grateful.
Smith answered some questions via email for the Vanity Fair profile, but declined to answer one about the slap and its effect on the movie. The actor has publicly apologized twice to Rock, been photographed in public a handful of times, but overall, has stayed out of the spotlight.
Emancipation is Smith’s follow-up to King Richard, which won him the Oscar in March for Best Actor. Smith plays Peter, known to history as “Whipped Peter,” an escaped slave-turned-Union Army soldier who is immortalized in 19th century pictures that reveal the scars on his back from a brutal whipping.
Before 2022 ends, Will Smith’s slavery drama Emancipation is hitting select cinemas and Apple TV+.
Despite the controversy surrounding Smith after slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards in March, director Antoine Fuqua is pushing forward with the release of Emancipation.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Fuqua shared his thoughts behind still releasing the movie this year, saying there was “never a conversation” with Apple or his producers about a delay.
“It was more about, ‘We’re assessing everything. We’re seeing what people are saying.’ They were very careful about it,” said the director whose credits include The Equalizer and Training Day. “Then we showed the film to some people and their reactions were really positive, and we discussed it along the way. Of course I wanted people to see the film.”
He continued, “My conversation was always, ‘Isn’t 400 years of slavery, of brutality, more important than one bad moment?’ We were in Hollywood, and there’s been some really ugly things that have taken place, and we’ve seen a lot of people get awards that have done some really nasty things. … Then a decision was made by the people in charge of distribution and the money at Apple—and I’m grateful, I’m really grateful.”
Fuqua was also asked about his reaction to the slap, knowing the star of his movie was involved. “I have nothing but amazing things to say about Will Smith, really genuinely. … Nicest person I’ve ever met in my life. Chris Rock—I know Chris—Chris is a good guy too. I’ve spent time with Chris, and I think it’s an unfortunate event and I hope we can move forward and get past it,” he said.
The 56-year-old went on to say Emancipation’s filming lasted three months longer than expected and impacted Smith. “It’s really hard to release a character who’s been brutalized and called the N-word every day—constantly, every day—and still be the nicest person in the world. … So no excuses for anyone or anything, but I can say that he’s a good man and I hope that people can forgive him and that we can move forward. I hope Chris and Will find a way to sit together publicly, privately, whatever, and make amends.”
For more of Vanity Fair’s extensive piece that includes interviews with Smith, Ben Foster, and Charmaine Bingwa, head here. Emancipation is scheduled to be released in certain theaters on Dec. 2, before its Apple TV+ streaming release on Dec. 9.
Will Smith had some A-list support during a screening of his upcoming film, Emancipation. On Monday, the 54-year-old actor shared a selfie featuring Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Tyler Perry, Kenya Barris and Dave Chappelle.
“EPIC night!! Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!! @davechappelle @cblacksmith @badgalriri @kenyabarris @officialfawn @tylerperry @asaprocky @westbrook @appletvplus,” Smith captioned the selfie featuring the superstars.
Barris took to the comments to respond. “This night was MAGIC and your movie is truly something that will last forever! ✊🏽👊🏽,” the Blackish creator wrote.
Perry took to his respective Instagram Story to share the same image and celebrate the film. “Still haunted by #Emancipation. It’s truly powerful, moving and captivating. And the conversation afterwards with this group was legendary. Thank you @willsmith for the preview,” the media mogul wrote.
Chapelle’s appearance comes after he spent the summer touring with Chris Rock — who was infamously slapped by Smith at this year’s Academy Awards. In September, during a stop in the U.K., both Chappelle and Rock made jokes about Smith’s slap, which he has since apologized for three times.
During Chappelle’s set, he called the slap “a very strange choice” and reportedly said that Smith did an “impression of a perfect man for 30 years.”
Emancipation will be Smith’s first major film since the Oscars incident. In the Apple TV+ film, which was directed by Antoine Fuqua, the Oscar-winning actor plays Peter, a man who escapes from slavery, relying on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family to evade cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on his quest for freedom. The film is inspired by the 1863 photos of “Whipped Peter,” which show Peter’s bare back and contributed to growing public opposition to slavery.
Earlier this month, the King Richardstar appeared during a screening of the film in Washington, D.C., at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st Annual Legislative Conference. Smith took the stage to address why he chose to work on the film.
“Throughout my career I’ve turned down many films that were set in slavery. I never wanted to show us like that, you know, and then this picture came along,” he said. “This is not a film about slavery. This is a film about freedom. This is a film about resilience. This is a film about faith. It’s a film about the heart of a man.”
Emancipation premieres in theaters on Dec. 2 and globally on Apple TV+ on Dec. 9.
Jada Pinkett Smithinvited her husband Will Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, as a special guest host for the latest edition of “Red Table Talk”.
As discussions were ongoing, Jada Pinkett revealed that Will takes trips with Zampino when she (Jada) is not around.
Country singer Jana Kramer, who was also this week’s celebrity guest on the Facebook Watch series, asked Jadda whether such arrangements bother her, and she said;
“Never. They take trips; I’m not there. They do their thing. Not together romantically, but if he’s going on a book tour and [Will’s] mom is going and his sister, it’s fun for me to watch them enjoy each other. It takes time, though. We’re not having trouble, everyone. Let’s make that clear because you know that’ll be the next rumor.
“You guys really enjoy each other,” Jada Pinkett turned to Will Smith’s ex-wife and spoke.
On her part, Zampino said she currently has a better relationship with Will Smith than when they were married.
“With Will, we’re better as co-parents than we were as husband and wife. We came together to have Trey. It took the two of us to make him, but then we shifted,” Zampino explained.
Will was married to Zampino from 1992 until 1995. During their three-year marriage, they welcomed a son, Trey Smith, who is now 29.
Will and Jada Pinkett got married in December of 1997, two years after their divorce. They have two children together, a son, Jaden Smith, 24, and a daughter, Willow Smith, 21.
Jada Pinkett Smith invited her husband Will Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, as a special guest host for the latest edition of “Red Table Talk”.
As discussions were ongoing, Jada Pinkett revealed that Will takes trips with Zampino when she (Jada) is not around.
Country singer Jana Kramer, who was also this week’s celebrity guest on the Facebook Watch series, asked Jadda whether such arrangements bother her, and she said;
“Never. They take trips; I’m not there. They do their thing. Not together romantically, but if he’s going on a book tour and [Will’s] mom is going and his sister, it’s fun for me to watch them enjoy each other. It takes time, though. We’re not having trouble, everyone. Let’s make that clear because you know that’ll be the next rumor.
“You guys really enjoy each other,” Jada Pinkett turned to Will Smith’s ex-wife and spoke.
On her part, Zampino said she currently has a better relationship with Will Smith than when they were married.
“With Will, we’re better as co-parents than we were as husband and wife. We came together to have Trey. It took the two of us to make him, but then we shifted,” Zampino explained.
Will was married to Zampino from 1992 until 1995. During their three-year marriage, they welcomed a son, Trey Smith, who is now 29.
Will and Jada Pinkett got married in December of 1997, two years after their divorce. They have two children together, a son, Jaden Smith, 24, and a daughter, Willow Smith, 21.
In a surprise shift to this year’s awards season, Will Smith’s next film “Emancipation” will release in 2022 after all. Apple announced the news Monday, releasing the first trailer for the Antoine Fuqua-directed historical drama.
“Emancipation” premieres in theatres on December 2 and will stream on Apple TV+ starting December 9.
Though “Emancipation” had originally been set for a 2022 release date, Apple elected to delay the film to 2023 after Smith became embroiled in controversy for slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards.
The embattled actor has since publicly apologized for his actions, sharing an emotional video released online in June, but has largely steered clear of the public eye since the Oscar ceremony.
For all intents and purposes, that initial delay has now been reversed. A few months ago, Apple was seen as a potentially formidable Oscar contender. After becoming the first streaming service to win the best picture with “CODA,” the company was preparing to campaign for a lineup of buzzy titles throughout the fall.
However, summer releases like Sundance favourite “Cha Cha Real Smooth” and Skydance Animation’s “Luck” have not maintained momentum, Peter Farrelly’s “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” was a critical nonstarter at the Toronto International Film Festival and Martin Scorsese’s mega-budgeted western “Killers of the Flower Moon” won’t be ready until 2023.
With its slate of prestige titles now relatively slim, “Emancipation” is seen as Apple’s best shot at making an impact in the coming Oscar race.
Written by Bill Collage and produced by Todd Black, Joey McFarland and Jon Mone, the film stars Smith as a runaway who becomes known as “Whipper Peter” after photographs of keloid scarring on his back are distributed to show the brutality of slavery.
The film follows Smith’s character as he navigates the swamps of Louisiana to escape the plantation owners that nearly killed him.
Prior to Smith’s altercation at the Oscars, the buzz around “Emancipation” was very positive, suggesting that the film, and its star, would be formidable awards contenders in the next season.
Smith resigned from the Academy after the incident, while the institution’s Board of Governors issued a 10-year ban barring the actor from attending the Oscar ceremony. However, the injunction does not prevent Smith from being nominated during this period.
Slaverythriller Emancipation, starring the winner of last year’s best actor Oscar, Will Smith, will be released later this year.
Rumours had suggested Apple Film could delay its release until 2023, after Smith slapped host Chris Rock on stage at the awards ceremony, in March.
But it will now open in cinemas on 2 December and will be available to stream from a week later, making it eligible for next year’s Oscars.
Smith, however, is banned for 10 years.
He also resigned from the Academy and has since apologised to comedian Rock, who had made a joke about Smith’s wife, saying he is “here whenever you need to talk”.
Emancipation is based on the true story of “Whipped Peter”, who joined the Union Army in the 1860s after escaping from slavery in Louisiana.
Photos of his scars from a whipping, taken during a medical examination, were published to become a damning indictment of slavery.
As well as Smith’s win for his last film, King Richard, this year’s Oscars saw Apple become the first streaming service to win best picture, with Coda.
On Drink Champs, the comedian defended Smith when he was asked in his conversation with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN to choose between the King Richard Oscar-winner and Ice Cube.
“Dark times deserve fucking great light,” the 43-year-old shared at the two-hour mark of the above video, clearly referring to Smith, 54, slapping Chris Rock, 57, during the Academy Awards. “I’m not gonna shit on my brother. They both are my brothers, but I’m not gonna take the time to shit on them. I’mma say Will Smith, and here’s why: Will Smith is a fuckin’—he’s not only a legend, he’s not only a GOAT.”
Hart proceeded, with notable seriousness, to credit Will with giving a platform to Black actors and creators in Hollywood.
“Will Smith is the reason why the idea of African Americans attached to global IP is normal. … Studios took the gamble on more leads of color because of the work that Will Smith, Denzel were doing in the beginning, right?” he explained. “You need the faces that are giving the universal return. So I’m not gonna shit on Will and act like he hasn’t been, and wasn’t, that guy.”
Hart added, “And people make mistakes, and from mistakes they should be allowed time to fuckin’ recover. … And that this is no longer the world’s problem, it’s Will and Chris’s problem. Let them deal with that. The world should step out of it and let them recover.”
In more lighthearted news related to Hart and the slap, the Jumanji actor snuck a blinged-out goat into Madison Square Garden during a show featuring him, Rock, and Dave Chapelle in July. The farm animal was a gift for Rock—named Will Smith.
In a July statement to Rock, Smith apologized to Chris’ mom and family (including Tony Rock), saying he didn’t realize “how many people got hurt” by the slap heard around the world.
“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out,” Will shared. “So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
Smith added, “There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect, or insults.”
After the infamous Oscars slap, which occurred in March, Will Smith and wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, were spotted together in public recently.
The couple enjoyed an afternoon date at Nobu Malibu on Saturday as they were photographed out together for the first time since Will, 53, smacked Chris Rock on stage in defense of Jada, 50, at the 94th Academy Awards.
They appeared to be in good spirits and a beard-sporting Will even threw the peace sign to a fan as Jada appeared to hold onto his belt loop while they walked to their car.
The debacle at March’s awards show unraveled after Rock, 57, made light of Jada’s hair loss (she’s been open about living with alopecia). “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” he joked.
Will then walked onto the stage and slapped Rock in the face, leaving the audience and live viewers around the world stunned. “Oh wow,” said Rock as Will made his way back to his seat. “Will Smith just smacked the s— out of me.”
After slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, Will Smith claims he “reached out” to him, but the comic has stated he is “not ready to chat.”
After the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife at the Academy Awards in March, the actor smacked Rock on stage.
Smith renewed his apology in a video that he published on Friday in which he reflected on the slap. This was the first time Smith had been seen talking about the incident.
“I apologize to Chris. My actions were unacceptable “said he. I’m available whenever you want to talk.
Smith has previously only issued written statements about the altercation. In the video, on his own YouTube channel, he answers questions that appear to be written by fans.
He reads out out the questions himself, addressing the camera directly.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Smith smacked Rock after the comic made a joke about the actor’s wife Jada
“I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the nuances and the complexities of what happened in that moment,” the actor said.
“I wasn’t thinking about how many people got hurt in that moment… There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment.”
Smith explained: “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out.”
Figure caption, He also said his wife Jada Pinkett Smith did not ask him to do something to defend her after Rock made the joke. “Jada had nothing to do with it,” Smith said.
“I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us.”
Rock had taken aim at Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
Pinkett Smithspoke last month saying it was her “deepest hope” that her husband and Rock could “reconcile” after the incident.
She had previously posted on her social media after the slap that it was a “season for healing”.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smithat the Vanity Fair Oscars party
Smith also apologised to his fellow nominees at the Oscars ceremony.
“Knowing that this is a community, it’s almost as though your votes helped me win.
I feel so terrible for having taken advantage of you and marred your moment.”
Smith earned his first Oscar for his performance in King Richard, a movie about the father of Serena and Venus Williams, after the incident on stage.
Smith has been prohibited from attending Academy functions for the next 10 years as a result of what the Oscars have called his “unacceptable and damaging behavior” on stage.
It was stated that following the slap, Smith was asked to leave the award ceremony, but he refused. A producer later clarified that Rock himself had not intended for Smith to be expelled violently or taken into custody by the police.
