Will Smith Addresses His Controversial Oscars Moment in His First Album in Twenty Years: ‘You Better Keep His Wife’s Name Out of Your Mouth’

Will Smith‘s return to music continues to be a healing journey for the actor following his 2022 Oscars debacle. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star faced criticisms and career-scathing consequences for slapping Chris Rock at the event. The comedian cracked a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head, sparking the now-viral retort, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f-cking mouth!” 

Although the incident happened three years ago, it remains a significant part of Smith’s life. He addressed the drama and the backlash in his first album in twenty years, Based on a True Story. The first song on the album Int. Barbershop Day opened with references to the incident. A voice could be heard saying, “Will Smith is canceled.”

A critic echoed similar sentiments, declaring angrily, “I ain’t never going to forgive him for that sh-t he did.” More voices could be heard gossiping about Smith, with someone advising another person to tread carefully. “Him and Jada both crazy, girl. What you talkin’ bout?/ You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth,” they quipped.

Will Smith References His Exit From the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Following the controversial slap, the Oscars banned Smith from attending any Academy Award event for 10 years. The actor also willingly resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. At the time, he expressed his desire to fully accept “any and all consequences” for his conduct. Smith reflected on these consequences in the second song of his album, You Lookin’ for Me?. Part of the track’s lyrics reads:

“Took a lot, I’m back on top/Y’all gon’ have to get acclimated/Won’t stop, my sh-t still hot/ Even though I won’t get nominated.”

The emotional reflections continued in the teaser video Smith shared hours before the album’s release. He claimed his first album in 20 years was the product of “a very deep exploration” of his true nature. “The process of this album is really allowing myself to be more honest with myself than I ever have about who and what I actually am,” he confessed. 

Will Smith Got Emotional on Stage During a Las Vegas Performance

Days earlier, Smith returned to Las Vegas to promote his new music at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. We covered the story, reporting that he described the album as a reflection of his “very soul.” He explained that he has done a lot of thinking and referenced his issues with Rock, saying:

“The first season, these first records, are the records that I wrote directly after the Oscars. You know, I had a couple of really powerful years of soul-searching.”

Related: Will Smith Celebrates Having a Street Named After Him in West Philadelphia: ‘Philly, I Am Yours’

Smith also addressed his struggles with self-love, revealing he sometimes felt like two different people. “There was a Will Smith that was perfect. There was a Will Smith that was flawless. It was the image of everything I wanted to be,” he confessed. The singer claimed he feared people wouldn’t love him if they knew his authentic self hid emotions like sadness.

Can Will Smith’s new album redeem his image?