Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Will Smithtalked toDavid Lettermanabout “pain” prior to his Oscars controversy.
In an interview for the formerLate Showhost’sNetflixseriesMy Next Guest Needs No Introductionrecorded before the Academy Awards, Smith, 53, talked about his connection to hisKing Richardrole — specifically, drawing from experiences with his own late father.
He also talked about taking a break from acting and writinghis 2021 memoir, telling Letterman, 75, in the season 4 episode released Friday, “My experiences and my life, and the writing of this book have unlocked a part of me, as an actor, that is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”
“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,” Smith also said. “I’m really ready to dive into my heart in a way that I think will be, hopefully, fulfilling for me and helpful for the human family.”
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He said in another moment of the Letterman special, “You can’t protect your family — that’s not real.” The comment came when Smith was discussing realizations he’s had over his life.
“Protection and safety is an illusion. You have to learn to live with the reality that any moment, anything can be gone in one second,” Smith added. “So with that reality, how can you be here? And how can you be joyful and be here?”
The Letterman episode starts with the message: “This episode was recorded prior to the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.” The other guests on his show this season are Billie Eilish,Cardi B, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Durant and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
RELATED VIDEO:Will SmithResigns from the Academy After Smacking Chris Rock During Oscars: “I Am Heartbroken”
Since the incident, Smith — whowent on to win Best Actorfor his performance inKing Richard —has publicly apologized to Rock, 57, saying that he “reacted emotionally” because the “joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear.” (Pinkett Smith, 50, has been open aboutliving with alopecia.)
The formerFresh Prince of Bel-Airstar alsoresigned from the Academy. Smith then traveled to India to practice yoga and meditation, asource told PEOPLElast month.
My Next Guest Needs No Introductionis now streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com
