Will Smith talks new movie, Oscars slap with Trevor Noah
"I just lost it" - Will stopped by 'The Daily Show' to talk about his new movie, 'Emancipation', and THAT Oscars slap.
Trevor Noah is wrapping up his final days on 'The Daily Show' with A-list interviews.
Nearly two weeks after interviewing former US president, Barack Obama, the South African comedian had Will Smith in the hot seat.
The 54-year-old actor is currently on a press tour for his new Apple TV+ movie, 'Emancipation'. Will's appearance on 'The Daily Show' is his first big interview since his controversial appearance at the 2022 Oscars in March.
He won his first Academy Award at the ceremony but the achievement was overshadowed by the controversial moment he slapped comedian, Chris Rock.
Will was banned from the Oscars for 10 years.
Speaking to Trevor, the star reflected on the moment that almost ended his career.
“That was a horrific night, as you can imagine. You know, there’s many nuances and complexities to it. But at the end of the day, I just — I lost it, you know? And I guess what I would say, you just never know what someone is going through... I was going through something that night. Not that that justifies my behaviour," he said.
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Will got tearful at one point when Trevor said the incident does not define who he is as a person. "Everybody can make a mistake... The reason it was shocking is because that's not who you are," the South African comedian said.
"I understand how shocking that was for people... That was a rage that had been bottled for a really long time," Will replied.
The actor added that he had to explain the situation to his nephew who had stayed up late to watch him at the Oscars.
“We are sitting in the kitchen and he’s on my lap holding the Oscar. And he's like, ‘Why did you hit that man, Uncle Will?’... It was a mess. "
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Will's fans are hoping his new movie, which will first debut in cinemas on December 2 before being streamed on Apple TV+, will be a step in the right direction following the slap.
The 'Bad Boys' actor described the project as the "hardest movie" he has ever had to make. He stressed that it is not a slave movie, but a freedom movie.
"It's a beautiful movie. My daughter asked me, she's like 'Daddy, do we really need another slave movie?' And I said, 'Baby, I promise you I wouldn't make a slave movie. This is a freedom movie.'"
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Watch Will Smith's full interview on 'The Daily Show' with Trevor Noah below.
Main image credit: YouTube/The Daily Show With Trevor Noah