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 Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air.

When Janet Hubert, who performed Aunt Viv on the primary three seasons, left the ’90s sitcom on account of “artistic variations” in 1993, the “Summertime” rapper slammed his former costar throughout a radio interview. “I can say straight up that Janet Hubert needed the present to be The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Present,” Smith stated on the time, per E! Information. “She’s mad now however she’s been mad all alongside. She stated 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 advised TMZ in December 2011.

Two years later, Hubert claimed that Smith was spreading “lies” about her habits on set. “I feel what occurred, as a result of the viewers was so on my facet at the moment, that Will in all probability felt like he wanted to exit, and he wanted to inform a number of lies. … I’ve proof that a number of that didn’t occur,” she advised The Grio in March 2013.

The pair continued their back-and-forth for years earlier than ultimately burying the hatchet in the course of the 2020 Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air reunion particular, the place Smith acknowledged that he “made the set troublesome” for Hubert in the course of the third season.

“Phrases can kill. I misplaced every thing. Repute. The whole lot, every thing. I perceive you have been in a position to transfer ahead,” she advised the Ali star in the course of the HBO Max particular. “Calling a Black lady ‘troublesome’ in Hollywood is the kiss of demise. It’s onerous sufficient being a dark-skinned Black lady on this enterprise. I felt it was vital for us to lastly transfer ahead. And I’m sorry I’ve blasted you to items.”

Whereas he was in a position to settle one in all his Hollywood feuds, Smith began a model new one on the 2022 Oscars by slapping Chris Rock in the course of 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 “Hold my spouse’s identify out your f–king mouth.”

The “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” rapper apologized the next day for his habits in an announcement shared through Instagram. “Violence in all of its kinds is toxic and damaging. My habits ultimately evening’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote in March 2022. “I want to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I used to be out of line and I used to be improper. I’m embarrassed and my actions weren’t indicative of the person I need to be. There isn’t any place for violence in a world of affection and kindness.”

Hold scrolling to relive Smith’s most controversial moments: