Yes, he is mighty good-looking. And yes he is very rich. So are many other black, male actors, singers and rappers. Still, not many of them have been able to inspire me in the way Mr Smith has. Although his good looks are down to DNA, he has earned his wealth fair and square virtually on his own. I say virtually, because behind every great man stands a great woman –and some other good people.
In Will’s case that great woman was his late grandmother. Upon reading one of his first rap lyrics that was rather vulgar, she tactfully reminded him to clean up his act. That is the reason we know Will Smith as one of the ‘nicest’ rappers in the game. We also know Will as a true gentleman and that, he learnt from his late mother and grandmother too. Furthermore, both his parents saw it relevant for their children to get good education. Therefore, Smith might pretend to goof around sometimes, but he is surely no dummy. He spoke to his father about patterns of life and how these could be utilised in achieving great things. Basically, in most people’s life things that go wrong always build up in practically the same way. To break that vicious cycle, one must change the pattern.
This might involve taking calculated risks and it definitely involves being clever.
Willard Smith was given a gap year by his father to pursue his rap-career after he finished school. If he didn’t succeed it meant back to his studies. Fortunately everything worked out and things got better and better for him. He also went on to acting in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Quincy Jones) and other films featuring big stars like Whoopi Goldberg. Making it big also meant moving on and a split from his music partner DJ Jazzy Jeff. The two have both done well ever since, although Jazzy Jeff’s career has not been in the limelight as much.
How come Will is in so many blockbuster movies? Well, he discovered that sci-fi action films with a love-story were very popular with the public. Aren’t Men in Black, Independence Day and even Wild Wild West all of that –although Sci-Fi a few centuries ago meant pushing his luck. Thankfully, he showed his major acting talent in other movies. He inspired me in Ali with the way he managed to build his body to Muhammed Ali’s equivalent. I almost shed tears when watching I Am Legend when he was forced to kill his zombie-transformed dog. Again in The Pursuit of Happyness when he had to spend the night in a metro station toilet with his son (the story of Chris Gardiner). Not to mention the many times he made me laugh in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The father, husband, son, rapper, actor and damn good man that he already is, he has not forgotten his roots with all these responsibilities. He owns one of the few Black film production and development companies in the United States. It’s called OverBrook Entertainment and the firm is responsible for the making of The Secret Life of Bees, Hancock, Showtime and the Oscar-winning play Jitney. OverBrook Entertainment are also working together on a show with Alfonso Ribeiro (yes, the one-and-only, Tom-Jones-loving, finger-snap-dancing Carlton Banks!). Furthermore, there are plans on making a movie about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on the New Orleans population.
So how many other Black celebrities are as hard-working, respectful, caring, inspirational, clever and forward-thinking as Will Smith? I must say that this man can put a smile on people’s faces just by mentioning his name, because he is so happy, funny and friendly. He has always been my favourite celebrity and if I ever got to meet him I would probably start behaving very groupy-ish –something I don’t see myself doing with any other celebrity. However, I think he deserves the admiration I have for him.
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