Will Smith chats with ET’s Kevin Frazier at fan screening for ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die,’ in theaters on June 7.
The actor reacts to his family’s longtime friend, Justin Bieber, recently revealing he and wife Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child. Will, a proud dad of three, shares the best fatherhood advice he’s received.
Plus, with new music on the way, Will opens up about working alongside his kids, Willow and Jaden, who are fellow musicians. He also shares his real-life ‘ride or dies’ over the years, from his partner in rap, DJ Jazzy Jeff, to his partner in life, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Interviewer: Hey, I know you’re tight with the Biebers. They’re going to have a baby soon. Any message for them?
Will Smith: You know, I have three kids, and there’s really nothing anybody can tell you, right? Not anymore. We’re all winging it. The best advice I ever got is that they’re not your kids. They belong to God, and you are a shepherd. You’re just trying to help them become what they already are, not trying to force what you want them to be on them.
Interviewer: New music from you finally! How was that? And what do your children say about it since Jaden and Willow have their own careers now? Is it hard competing with your kids?
Will Smith: No competition there. A win for one is a win for all. I’m just really proud and honored with how they’re growing and representing.
Interviewer: What’s in your new music? Are you talking about older things, or are you still talking about things from when you were 25?
Will Smith: One of the first things I did was get back in the lab. When I make music, I’m finding the deepest, truest, most authentic me. I’ve got more to say than ever. So, no, I’m not ready to rap about it just yet, but I’ve got some things brewing.
Interviewer: Willow just wrote a novel. How wild is that? How is she writing a novel and making music at the same time?
Will Smith: You’ve got kids, so you know there’s a real process of hoping they find their way. Willow has hit her stride. She’s found that internal certainty where she knows who she is and who she wants to be. It’s gorgeous to watch. She’s grown up now. She is the truth.
Interviewer: Who’s your ride or die?
Will Smith: Funny, I was just talking about this. I have always been blessed that there has never been a time in my life when I didn’t look to the side and have a ride or die right there. All the way back to Jazzy Jeff, Charlie Mack, Alfonso Ribeiro, and James Avery. And Jada, she is one of the most gangster ride or dies I’ve ever had. Baltimore in the house!
Interviewer: Another thing, you have a boat racing team now?
Will Smith: Life is really delicious right now. I’m in that place where I know the kind of people I want to be around and the experiences I want to have. There are great team members, and the offer came up from Tom Brady and Mark Anthony. So, we’re going to have some fun.
