Will Smith reflects on his transformation after the infamous Oscars slap
Smith described the introspective journey as 'brutal but beautiful' or 'brutiful', ultimately leading to a new era of creativity and self-awareness.
In a candid conversation on BBC's "1Xtra" with host Remi Burgz, Will Smith opened up about the profound transformation he has undergone since the infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock.
Reflecting on the shocking moment, which was televised worldwide, the actor acknowledged that it forced him to take a 'big, strong, honest look at myself".
In the aftermath of the incident, which occurred after Rock made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss, Smith decided to take a step back and engage in deep self-reflection.
'After the Oscars I, like, shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work,' he explained during the interview.
"All of a sudden, it was like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas, and like the manhole cover came off, and it was scary for a minute ... Then all of a sudden all of these new thoughts, new energies and new creativity came through. So, I feel like I'm brand new."
He continued: "I feel like the greatest creative period of my life will be in the next, you know, five to 10 years."
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences described Smith's behaviour as 'unacceptable and harmful', subsequently issuing a 10-year ban on his attendance at the prestigious awards ceremony.
Nevertheless, the actor appears to have channelled the turmoil into his artistry, marking his return to music with a new album, "Based On A True Story", which also touches on the Oscars incident.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Materialists — Save the date for a witty but biting take on modern relationships
Past Lives filmmaker Celine Song pairs glossy romance with uncomfortably sharp insights on modern dating in Materialists, where a love triangle is shaped by Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. For the second consecutive year, cinemagoers are being treated to a romance that is more than its shiny exterior and good-looking cast suggest it will be. Last year, it was the Blake Lively-starring It Ends With Us, where the pretty people love triangle actually incorporated toxic relationships, domestic violence and repeated patterns of abuse. Now, in 2025, we have Materialists, which presents as a sleek and smart romantic comedy, only to pierce through the facade like a boba tea straw to reach the juiciest bits at the bottom: sharp-tasting insights about modern dating that can be tough to swallow. Then again, Materialists is released by A24 (in the US at least) and written, directed and produced by acclaimed playwright-turned-filmmaker Celine Song. Song's 2023 big screen romance Past Lives was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars, and was celebrated for its nuanced exploration of the human condition, specifically the complexities of past and present love, which can exist simultaneously. The point is that neither Song nor A24 sticks to the conventional. There's always something creatively ambitious and artful flowing through the veins of their projects, and Materialists is no different. Though it centres on matchmaking, Materialists is no breezy and cute Hitch clone. Lead character Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a successful matchmaker in New York City. While she's great with a sales pitch about finding love, Lucy approaches dating like a business investment. All her behind-the-scenes discussions are about assets, value, probability and maths. She has no interest in relationships of her own, until the wedding of one of her clients — the peak achievement of her profession — brings both dashing millionaire Harry Castillo (Pedro Pascal) and Lucy's struggling actor ex John (Chris Evans) into her life. Who will our heroine choose? Will the film stick to genre expectation, with a 'love is all you need' message, or will it chart its own course? Materialists doesn't dabble with its decision for too long actually, resulting in a final act that feels drawn out, and low on energy. Before that, though, the film excels at showing what dating has become in the 21st Century – a mix of mercenary entitlement and desperation, with marriage the end goal, no matter what. Settling is fine; just make sure it results in you walking down the aisle and coupled up. In Materialists, Song has characters vocalising the unsaid, admitting their most selfish drives in ticking off this particular life box. Viewers should be aware that Materialists is a romantic comedy in the same sense that restaurant series The Bear is considered comic. The humour arrives in momentary pricks. It's dark, sharp and entirely dialogue delivered. Lucy's clients act like they're ordering off a restaurant menu, and while hobbies and political views may get a mention, the vast majority of partner wants are appearance-based and materialistic: age, height, body type, income. No compromise. No consideration of character. It's a shocking and sad commentary on what makes someone a viable life companion today. And yet Song doesn't simply slap a judgment on these superficial priorities. Once more, she presents and then unpacks them, largely through the self-aware character of Lucy. Is it wrong to want financial security? Are you a bad person if love and hope of better days aren't enough to keep you in a relationship? Johnson is an acquired taste as a performer, owing to her subdued delivery (especially in comparison with the warm and effortlessly charismatic Pascal and Evans), but it makes sense for the character of clinical and cynical Lucy. There's also the bonus meta pleasure of remembering that Johnson was Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades films, a woman won over through lavish acts of affection despite her partner's constant red flag behaviour. Lucy appreciates demonstrations of wealth, but her eyes are always wide open, looking out and inward as she assesses her response. There's a sense that critics may appreciate Materialists more than mainstream audiences, because of the film's cerebral and contemplative nature, versus being powered by passion in keeping with romcom tradition. That said, anyone should be able to appreciate the film's perceptiveness, however uncomfortable it is to look in the mirror held up by Song — one that seems gilded from a distance but is actually quite grubby and dirt-flecked on closer inspection, like even the most perfect appearing life. Materialists may be more glossy and escapist than Past Lives, but its observations still ring true. DM
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Five legendary actors who've never won an Oscar
The Oscars. The glitz, the glamour, the golden statuette worth over R1.3 million. For many actors, it's the ultimate prize. But some of Hollywood's finest have never taken one home. Here are five stars who, despite dazzling audiences, have never heard their name called on Oscar night. Johnny Depp is a master of transformation. From Captain Jack Sparrow to Edward Scissorhands, unforgettable performances have been delivered by him Yet, the Oscar has always slipped through his fingers. Depp has been nominated three times, for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl , Finding Neverland , and Sweeney Todd , according to Time Magazine Still, no win. As one fan put it, 'He disappears into every role. How has he not won?' Glenn Close is Hollywood royalty. She's been nominated eight times, for roles in films like Fatal Attraction and The Wife . But the golden statuette remains elusive. Close once joked, 'It's better to be nominated than to never be noticed.' Tom Cruise is a global superstar. He has run across rooftops, flown fighter jets, and even clung to the side of a plane. With three Oscar nominations for Born on the Fourth of July , Jerry Maguire , and Magnolia , Cruise has never won. However, he is due to receive an honorary Oscar soon. Still, he's one of the highest-paid actors, earning up to R2 billion per film. 'I don't do it for the awards,' Cruise once said. 'I do it for the audience.' Samuel L. Jackson's voice is unmistakable. His presence? Unmatched. He has delivered iconic lines and unforgettable moments from Pulp Fiction to Django Unchained. Yet, the Oscar has never landed in his hands. 'I should have won for Pulp Fiction ,' Jackson once quipped. 'But I'm still here, and I'm still working.' Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas to every role. He has wowed critics and audiences alike from Schindler's List to The Grand Budapest Hotel. Fiennes has earned several nominations, but he still has not reached the Oscars. One Academy voter even admitted, 'I thought he'd already won!' Sometimes, people simply take the best for granted. These actors prove that awards do not measure true greatness. Their talent inspires millions. As Glenn Close once said, 'Awards are wonderful, but the work is what matters.' In the end, it's the audience—South African and global—who decide who's truly unforgettable. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
4 days ago
- The South African
Tom Cruise to receive prestigious Honorary Oscar
Tom Cruise has done it all. He's raced fighter jets, dangled from skyscrapers, and sprinted through explosions. Now, after decades of blockbuster hits, the Hollywood legend will finally take home an Oscar. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will honour Cruise with an Honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards. The event will take place at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles on 16 November. For South African fans, this is big news, as Cruise has long been a favourite, lighting up screens. His films, especially the Mission: Impossible series, have packed cinemas across South Africa. Tom Cruise's journey to Oscar glory has been a long one, as despite four nominations, he had never clinched the golden statuette, according to NDTV. The Academy now recognises his 'extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy'. 'This year's Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals. Their extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact,' said Academy President Janet Yang. She added, 'Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and the stunts community has inspired us all'. Tom Cruise, now 62, is known for his fearless approach to filmmaking, as he's recognised for performing his stunts, pushing the limits of what's possible. The Academy praised his role in keeping cinemas alive during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he championed the return to theatres. 'One of the most recognised and highest-grossing actors of all time, Cruise has been a committed advocate of the theatrical experience,' the Academy stated. His film credits read like a greatest hits of modern cinema: Risky Business , Top Gun , A Few Good Men , Jerry Maguire , Magnolia , and, of course, the Mission: Impossible franchise. Each film has left its mark on audiences worldwide, including right here in South Africa. Tom Cruise's Oscar will sit alongside honours for Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton, who will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for their charitable work. In Cruise's own words, 'I make movies for the big screen. The experience is everything.' Now, the Academy agrees. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest new
