Will Smith won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard last night at the Academy Awards. Prior to his historic win win, he punch Chris Rock after he made his wife the butt of one of his jokes which Will laughed initially but Jada didn’t seem to think was funny. You can read about that here.
The impromptu TV punch may be years in the making because in 2016 Rock poked fun at Jada Pinkett Smith when he hosted the 2016 Oscars. It was a year when the couple boycotted due to the fact that no actors of color were nominated for the second year in a row.
Rock said in his opening monologue of the 88th Academy Awards, “Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna‘s panties. I wasn’t invited,”
He also took jabs at Will the same night . “It’s not fair that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated,” Rock said of Smith’s performance in “Concussion.” “It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for ‘Wild Wild West!’”
Some reports state that Smith might be required to return his golden trophy for violating the Academy’s code of conduct, but he was seen dancing up a storm to celebrate his win.
The Ali actor has been taking on real life opponents ever since he got to Hollywood.
In the promotions for his New York Times Best Selling memoir WILL, he had a sit down with Oprah where he revealed details of his open marriage with Jada Pinkett. He also addresses the tumultuous relationship he had with his father and his role in being a father to his children.
One of the less talked about stories in the book was the time he was approached by an “Infamous LA gangbanger” who was notorious for “shakedowns, extortion and charging fees for protection” from movie stars and musicians.
The message read, ‘I need a cut of that Will Smith business” were the words of a letter he received during the heyday of the Fresh Prince Of Bel Air in the 90s.
His manager James Lassiter received the message and initially decided not to respond.
The Philadelphia native confessed in the book that the LA environment seemed uncertain for him then because the worst neighborhoods “have green grass and palm trees.”
“We had heard stories about this dude. He would just take people’s money, force them to sign over their publishing, and strong-arming people throughout the industry. We were new to LA and we did not want trouble but if trouble wanted us we would were right here”, he said.
“It felt dangerous and confusing,” he continued.
After receiving the fifth message bearing the same message , his Manager and long time friend took the call.
“I am thinking I need to get a cut of that Will Smith business,” said the voice on the other end of the phone.
“I think we can do that, but I have a partner, I don’t make the final decision, you will need to speak with him. My partner works at the Federal Bureau Of investigations” said James, “I’ll set the call, any deal that you and him come up with I am down for it”.
That was the last time the LA enforcer called Smith or his team.
It was not revealed who the LA gangster was but Will is now a successful movie star because he had always stood up for himself, his family, his career.
Over the years he has had bouts with Eminem and even Wendy Williams who he promised to buy the radio station and send her ass home in the Mr. Nice Guy lyrics.
Wendy Williams, you don’t know me
I’m not your punching bag, you won’t blow me
Up, girl better leave me alone
Before I buy your radio station and send ya home
This a warning show over the bough
Truth be told this ain’t my style
You gotta understand some stuff a man can’t allow
Better chill before you climb a tree you can’t get down
He also addressed Eminem in the same song. At the 1999 MTV VMAs, Smith beat Eminem for the Best Male Video award. In his acceptance speech, he dropped a line which seemed to be aimed at his fellow nominee, noting that he didn’t need to use profanity or threaten people to sell records. Eminem hit back at the perceived diss in “The Real Slim Shady”: “Will Smith don’t gotta cuss in his raps to sell records / Well, I do, so fuck him and fuck you too.”
Unlike last night when Smith responded immediately to Chris Rock’s remarks towards his wife, it took him six years to respond, with “Mr. Niceguy.” In it he raps, “Dissed by Eminem but didn’t bother him / Yup well he classy / Big Will just did another 20 mill.”
