Will Smith reflected on some of the “mistakes” he has made over the years such as his infamous Oscars slap and very publicized marriage woes.
“I have made tons of mistakes,” he said at the Red Sea International Film Festival Saturday.
“Fame is a unique monster. You can’t get too excited when people say good things about you because then when people say bad things about you, you struggle and suffer more.”
Continuing, he said, “I have to be clear about who I am and what I am attempting to do in the world.”
The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star added that he doesn’t want to “need” the applause of others for him to “stay focused on [his] mission.”
“And at the same time, I am deeply human. And I am in the process of perfecting my virtue.”
Smith’s insightful take on the public perception of him versus his push to grow in his professional life comes weeks after Jada Pinkett Smith, 52, revealed in October that they have been separated for seven years.
The bombshell news came ahead of Pinkett Smith’s tell-all memoir, “Worthy,” which has since uncovered a slew of personal marital details — including affairs, sex rooms and the workings of an “open marriage.“
Of course, news of the couple’s separation came as a shock to fans who remember the “Men In Black” star, 55, slapping Crhis Rock onstage at the 2022 Oscars after the comedian made a joke at Pinkett Smith’s expense.
As a result, the Academy decided to ban Smith from the Oscars and all of its events for 10 years.
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith said to Page Six at the time.
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Despite his highly publicized ups and downs over the past few years, Smith said during the film fest that he has an exciting sequel in the works.
Smith and Michael B. Jordan are teaming up to make “I Am Legend 2.”
Per the actor, he has submitted the script and has an upcoming call with the “Creed III” star.
While Smith’s character died at the original ending of the film, an alternate ending on the movie’s DVD kept Smith alive.
“So we are going with the mythology of the DVD version where my character lived,” Smith said. “I can’t tell you any more.”
