Will Smith is no stranger to controversy. Throughout his career, the award-winning actor and musician has made headlines for his actions, statements, and opinions. From his divisive comments on racism to his highly-debated divorce, Will Smith has been the center of many controversial moments. In this blog post, we will be exploring the most controversial moments of Will Smith’s career.
1) His involvement in Scientology
Throughout his long career, Will Smith has been involved in a number of controversial moments. One of the most controversial was his involvement in the Church of Scientology. In 2008, Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith were photographed attending the grand opening of a Church of Scientology facility in Hollywood. While they did not confirm their involvement in the religion, it was speculated that they were members.
Though Smith hasn’t confirmed his involvement, his wife has been vocal about her beliefs. She once called Scientology the best thing that’s happened to me, and has openly shared her admiration for its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.
Since then, Smith has kept relatively quiet about his involvement with the church. But this incident has remained a part of his legacy throughout the years, as many people have continued to question and speculate whether or not he is still involved.
2) Spanking his son on TV
Will Smith’s most controversial moment of his career happened in October of 2012, when he was seen spanking his son on the TV show, Ellen. The moment created an uproar amongst Smith’s fans and non-fans alike, who questioned the actor’s parenting style.
The incident started when Smith was discussing the consequences for his son Jaden’s disrespectful behavior. As he was explaining, Smith began to use physical force to discipline his son by lightly spanking him.
Though it was a light tap on the bottom, many felt that Smith crossed a line and that his actions were inappropriate. His decision to publicly demonstrate the punishment made it even more controversial.
The incident drew widespread criticism, with some people calling it abusive and unacceptable. While some supported Smith, others argued that he should not have used physical discipline in front of a live audience.
3) Calling his wife a whore
Will Smith has been an integral part of the entertainment industry for more than three decades. Throughout his career, Smith has endured his fair share of controversy. One of the most contentious moments in his life was in 2013 when he referred to his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, as a whore while talking to Howard Stern.
The comment came during a candid interview with Stern, in which Smith candidly discussed his marriage and relationship with Jada. In the midst of the conversation, Stern asked Smith about his sex life and whether Jada was a freak in bed. Smith responded with a joke, saying, What do you think, she’s a whore?
The comment immediately sparked outrage and backlash from fans and critics alike, who felt Smith had insulted his wife. Smith quickly apologized for the remark and later tried to explain it away as a bad joke. Regardless, the moment still stands as one of the most controversial moments in Will Smith’s career through the years.
4) Punching a reporter
One of the most controversial moments of Will Smith’s career through the years was when he punched a reporter at a film premiere in Moscow. The incident happened in 2012 when the reporter, Vitalii Sediuk, tried to kiss Will on the red carpet. Sediuk had a history of disruptive behavior towards celebrities and had already pulled similar stunts with other Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Will Smith reacted angrily and quickly slapped Sediuk in the face. He later released an official statement about the incident, saying, I trust and hope that this was a wake-up call for him to change his behavior and grow from this experience. Despite his apology, the incident sparked a debate about whether Will’s reaction was justified or if it was too aggressive.
Will Smith has since moved on from the incident and has continued to have a successful career throughout the years, but it is still remembered as one of his most controversial moments.
5) Kneeling on another actor’s neck
One of the most controversial moments of Will Smith’s career through the years was when he knelt on another actor’s neck during a performance in his 2003 movie, Bad Boys II. In the scene, Smith’s character is arresting a suspect, played by actor Martin Lawrence, and puts his knee on his neck. The scene has been widely criticized for its insensitive portrayal of police brutality.
When asked about the scene, Smith stated, I can’t apologize for it. I wouldn’t do that today, but it was my job to represent what was going on in the script. He went on to say that the message of the film was not one of violence or police brutality but of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Despite the controversy, Smith continues to be one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and respected actors. His career has spanned nearly four decades, from his early TV days on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to his more recent roles in blockbuster films like Men in Black and The Pursuit of Happyness. He is one of the most successful actors of all time and is a true example of how to rebound from adversity.
6) Referring to himself as a legend
Will Smith is an actor, producer, and songwriter whose career spans decades. And throughout the years, he’s also dealt with plenty of controversies. One of the most notorious incidents occurred in 2012 when Will Smith declared himself a legend at the Rome Film Festival.
This caused a massive uproar on social media, with many people accusing Will of being too full of himself and setting an example for younger generations that it’s ok to boast about one’s achievements. Even though Will was just expressing himself, this comment became one of the most talked-about controversies during his career.
7) Saying the N-word on Fresh Prince
Will Smith has had a long and successful career, but over the years, he’s also had some controversial moments. One of the most infamous was in an episode of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when Smith said the N-word.
In the episode, Will and Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) are trying to get a basketball court in the neighborhood. Will is frustrated at the situation and says, You know I’m saying this with love, so please don’t get upset: you’re acting like some real niggas. The word is bleeped out, but it’s still a shocking moment.
The controversy surrounding Will’s use of the N-word on the show was huge. Fans were outraged, while others defended him, saying that it was a reflection of how young people talked in the ’90s. The incident sparked a national debate about racism and language, which continues to this day.
