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As it happenedended

Will Smith in London: here’s everything from his revealing interview with Idris Elba

The actor was in London for an in-depth chat with Idris Elba

Elizabeth Aubrey
Thursday 18 November 2021 17:51 EST
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Will Smith poses at the ‘Bad Boys for Life’ launching photocall in Madrid on 8 January 2020
Will Smith poses at the ‘Bad Boys for Life’ launching photocall in Madrid on 8 January 2020 (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Will Smith was in London tonight (18 November) for a special evening of conversation with Idris Elba and some special guests.

The night, ‘An Evening of Stories with Friends at the Savoy Theatre, London’, will see Smith open-up to Elba about his recent, candid memoir, Will.

A description of the evening said: “For the first time, Will Smith opens up fully about his life, tracing his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness, and human connection are aligned.”

It continues: “Joined by special guests, this will be an unforgettable evening sharing the profound journey that self-knowledge brings, a reckoning with all that your will can get you and all that it can leave behind.”

The event saw Smith reflecting on his childhood with Elba, how he became the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, how he met Jazzy Jeff and how he coped with seeing domestic violence in his childhood.

You can see a full re-cap of the evening below.

Awkward...

Perhaps one of the funniest moments of the evening came when host Idris Elba admitted he hadn’t finished reading all of Will Smith’s memoir – despite the fact he was hosting a show about that said memoir.

Here is a round-up of that moment here:

Elizabeth Aubrey18 November 2021 22:21

“What I learned was the real truth of what it means to love somebody"

Well, that brings to an end an emotional night in London in which Will Smith took part in a revealing interview with Idris Elba about his new memoir, Will.

Some of the most powerful moments arrived when Smith discussed his difficult childhood, his challenging relationship with his father and his own fears of being a father and the responsibility that comes with it.

He also opened up about Quincy Jones’ role in helping him to land the role in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and later treated the audience to a reunion with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Perhaps the most emotive came when Smith described the last time he spoke to his father: “What I learned was the real truth of what it means to love somebody [in that moment].” Smith, looking visibly emotional, went on to connect with members of the audience who were facing similar challenges.

Those watching along in the audience certainly enjoyed the evening. You can see some of their reactions below:

And that’s all from us now. Thank you so much for joining us this evening! Like Idris Elba, I’m off to go and finish the memoir myself now – bye!

Elizabeth Aubrey18 November 2021 22:37

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