Will Smith Recalls "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" Premiering 33 Years Ago

BYGabriel Bras Nevares551 Views
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Will Smith attends the "Aladdin" European Gala at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
The acclaimed actor and musician shot up in the stratosphere of fame over three decades ago, and he's always grateful for the ride.

"Moved in 33 years ago today," Will Smith captioned an Instagram post commemorating the 33-year anniversary of the premiere of "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air." It's the show that launched him into international fame, and one that propelled the careers of loads of other cast and crew members. In fact, it's wild to think that it's been so long since, and yet the actor and musician remains as jovial as ever. In his post, the Philly native included a recent picture of him in front of the legendary TV show's house, along with another one of the main cast.

Of course, there's been a lot of reflection on this program over the years, some from Will Smith himself, and a lot from others in his early career, as well. For example, DJ Jazzy Jeff remarked in an interview with HNHH how different his and Smith's career would've been if they had a chance to release more of the music they did together. For many, though, their introduction to the 54-year-old was through the character of Will on "Fresh Prince." It's a testament to his talents as an entertainer that both legacies remain alive and well today.

Will Smith Celebrates 33 Years Since "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" Premiered

However, that's not to say that they didn't come with bumps in the road, especially in his personal life. For example, the Emancipation star recently had an interview on Kevin Hart's Hart To Heart, and spoke on how fame has changed his family dynamic. "Pretty much 2010 to 2012, I had achieved everything I had ever dreamed," Will Smith remarked. "Nobody in my family was happy. Willow was the first one to begin the mutiny and it was my first realization that success and money don’t mean happiness. Up until that point, I really believed that you could succeed your way to a house and a family and you could win your way to happiness."

Regardless, those heavy experiences are the result of unimaginable acclaim and visibility as a celebrity. That's owed to his fantastic work on and off-screen, in or outside the booth, and as a businessman in his own right. While very few can relate to his journey in pop culture, his path paved the way for a lot of hearts, souls, and treasured memories, whether it's within his family or beyond it. On that note, what's your favorite moment from "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air"? Let us know in the comments and check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Will Smith.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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