‘I Really Just Shut It Down’: Will Smith Gets Candid About Working On Himself In The Years After The Oscars Slap

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Three years have passed since Will Smith infamously struck Chris Rock at the Oscars, an event that remains etched in the memories of those who were there and those who watched it unfold. Despite Smith’s busy schedule with numerous movies upcoming, he continues to reference the scandal through his recent album titled “Based on a True Story“. In an open manner, Smith discussed the challenging years following the slap as he focused on personal growth.

In an episode of the “Drink Champs” podcast, Will Smith candidly discussed unveiling a hidden aspect of himself that he hadn’t previously acknowledged or shared with others. Though he was famous for his comedic roles in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Men in Black,” Smith has come to understand that this public image was a mask he wore, and he’s been spending time reflecting on the implications of that. In his own terms:

“I’ve been exploring parts of myself that I hadn’t shown people before.

Over the past few years, I’ve taken a break from the spotlight, especially after the Oscars. During this time, I underwent some introspection and self-analysis. I examined parts of myself that I usually kept hidden, aspects that were not meant for public view. So there were different facets to Will Smith, not just the polished image or identity associated with him. The Will Smith presented to the public was only a showcase of my best qualities, but in reality, I am more than that – even my negative emotions and imperfections are part of who I am. In essence, I wasn’t allowed to express or acknowledge my upset feelings as Will Smith.

On March 27, 2022, Will Smith was visibly upset during the Academy Awards ceremony. When Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head (due to her condition alopecia), this led Smith to approach the stage and physically strike the comedian live on television.

It was quite unlike the persona of Will Smith that the public is accustomed to, as he himself admitted.

You always find me with a smile on my face, correct? However, there were moments when I wouldn’t be smiling. These instances were kept private, as they weren’t suitable for public display. I primarily chose to showcase my best qualities, which is why you only saw the smiling version of me. Recently, I found myself in a position where I had to be truthful about my character. I don’t just possess good qualities; I also have feelings like fear, confusion, anger, and sadness that I’ve been hiding.

According to Will Smith himself, the hardest aspect of dealing with the aftermath of the slap incident was acknowledging his own reaction, which involved responding to hatred with even more hatred. However, he has since understood that everyone is experiencing some kind of pain, and during an interview with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, he expressed that there’s strength in facing and dealing with the pain within oneself.

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself at a pivotal point in my life and career – not just as Superman triumphing on screen, but delving into the depths of my humanity. It was during this introspection that I encountered aspects of myself I had previously overlooked. Instead of shying away from these neglected facets, I embraced them, transforming them into my superpowers.

Anger, sadness, and fear – these are not qualities to be cast aside, but rather, allies to be welcomed. By befriending my anger, I learned to channel it into passion; by acknowledging my sadness, I discovered empathy; and by facing my fear, I found courage. So, to anyone out there, don’t suppress your inner turmoil – embrace it, and watch as it becomes your strength.

After learning to embrace all aspects of himself, Will Smith has discovered poetic expression, strength, perseverance, confidence, and numerous other beneficial traits.

Meanwhile, Chris Rock has been handling things in his characteristic manner, using humor as one of the methods. He brought up the Oscars slap incident in his comedy special titled “Selective Outrage“, which can be streamed with a Netflix subscription, and had some pointed remarks regarding Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

In essence, Chris Rock expressed that he resides in a state of forgiveness, and surprisingly left open the prospect of hosting the Oscars once more in the future. Moreover, he concurred with the common viewpoint that Conan O’Brien should have another chance to host after his exceptional performance at this year’s ceremony.

Three years on, the impact of “the slap” continues to resonate strongly, and it appears that Will Smith has gained significant self-understanding during this period.

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2025-04-07 01:07