Stephen A's Take: I had a Will Smith Intervention. What had happened was...

Summary

Summary of "Stephen A's Take: I had a Will Smith Intervention"

Release Date: February 1, 2025
Podcast: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Co-Guest: Antoine Fuqua

---

1. Introduction: Will Smith's Return to the Spotlight

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the highly anticipated return of Will Smith to major award stages, specifically his role as a presenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards. This marks a significant moment for Smith, who has been relatively absent from such high-profile events since the infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock.

Stephen A. Smith opens the discussion by highlighting the gravity of Smith's appearance at the Grammys:

"[01:02] Stephen A. Smith: The 2025 Grammy Awards are this weekend and some of the presenters have been announced. Earlier today, the Recording Academy revealed that Cardi B, SZA, and Will Smith will join Taylor Swift among the presenters at the award show."

2. Contextual Background: The 2022 Oscars Incident

Smith provides a brief overview of the events that have kept Will Smith out of major award shows. The altercation with Chris Rock at the Oscars had reverberated through Hollywood, affecting not only Smith's reputation but also those closely associated with him in the industry.

3. Stephen A. Smith's Critical Perspective

As a friend of Chris Rock, Stephen A. Smith expresses his critical stance towards Will Smith's actions. However, he also acknowledges the broader implications of the incident on Smith's associates and the industry at large.

"[01:57] Stephen A. Smith: I want to thank the great Antoine. Fuqua, the director and producer extraordinaire who did Emancipation with Will Smith, would have won an Oscar for that too, had Will Smith not slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022."

Smith emphasizes the "collateral damage" caused by Smith's actions, pondering how it affects not just him but also key figures like Antoine Fuqua, Will Packer, and Chris Rock.

4. Antoine Fuqua's Insightful Response

Antoine Fuqua, a renowned director and producer, joins the conversation to provide a personal and professional perspective on the incident and its aftermath. He expresses his initial displeasure with Will Smith's actions but also reflects on the potential long-term impacts on their careers and relationships.

"[02:08] Antoine Fuqua: I want to thank Will Packer, who produced the Oscars, that same Oscars that Will Smith did, what he did with Chris Rock. I want to thank my man Dougie Cash, who used to work at Hulu."

Fuqua shares how his colleagues reached out to him directly, urging him to reconsider his stance on Will Smith. He admits to having reservations but ultimately acknowledges Smith's contributions and character beyond the incident.

"[02:23] Stephen A. Smith: And used to work under Will Smith."
"[02:25] Antoine Fuqua: Years ago and stuff like that..."

Fuqua elaborates on his internal conflict, balancing his disappointment with a recognition of Smith's artistic talents and positive influence.

5. Moving Forward: Forgiveness and Professionalism

Both Smith and Fuqua discuss the importance of moving past the incident for the sake of their careers and personal relationships. Fuqua underscores the concept that everyone is flawed and deserves the opportunity to redeem themselves.

"[04:10] Antoine Fuqua: Will Smith is a fantastic artist who's done so much for so many people in this world, especially folks from our community... We should just march ahead and wish him nothing but the best to him and his family."

Stephen A. Smith echoes this sentiment, advocating for forgiveness and the recognition of Smith's positive attributes despite the setback.

"[05:54] Stephen A. Smith: He made a mistake and all of us should move on. Especially since Chris Rock has moved on and we should just march ahead and wish him nothing but the best to him and his family."

6. Conclusion: A Hope for Reconciliation and Growth

The episode wraps up with both hosts expressing hope that Will Smith can rebuild his reputation and continue to contribute positively to the entertainment industry. They emphasize the importance of community, support, and the capacity for individuals to grow beyond their mistakes.

---

Notable Quotes:

• "How could he lose himself and hurt all of us like that?"
  — Antoine Fuqua [02:06]

• "None of us want to be measured by our worst moment. All of us are flawed in the eyes of God."
  — Antoine Fuqua [04:48]

• "He made a mistake and all of us should move on."
  — Stephen A. Smith [05:54]

---

This episode provides a balanced exploration of Will Smith's controversial past actions and the broader implications for his professional relationships and personal growth. Through candid dialogue, Stephen A. Smith and Antoine Fuqua highlight the complexities of forgiveness, accountability, and the enduring impact of public figures within their communities.

Transcript

[Discover Voice]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report what's up everyone?

[Greg Rosenthal]

It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The 2025 Grammy Awards are this weekend and some of the presenters have been have been announced. Earlier today, the Recording Academy revealed that Cardi B? Sza and Will Smith will join Taylor Swift among the presenters at the award show. One could argue this is a big moment for Will Smith, who's who hasn't presented on this big of a stage since slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022. Smith did perform at the BET Awards last summer, but that's been about it in terms of appearing in major award shows. By the way, the Grammys will also celebrate the life of Quincy Jones in addition to the resilience of Los Angeles amid the ongoing fires in the city. But I want to focus on Will Smith. Obviously, I've been critical of Will Smith because I'm a friend of Chris Rock's.

[Antoine Fuqua]

And I don't appreciate what Will did.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I want to thank several people. I want to thank my man Charlie.

[Antoine Fuqua]

Mack, who is a bodyguard and a longtime friend spanning decades for Will Smith.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I want to thank the great Antoine.

[Antoine Fuqua]

Fuqua, the director and producer extraordinaire who did Emancipation with Will Smith, would have won an Oscar for that too, had.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Will Smith not slapped Chris Rock.

[Antoine Fuqua]

I want to thank Will Packer, who produced the Oscars, that same Oscars that Will Smith did, what he did with Chris Rock. I want to thank my man Dougie Cash, who used to work at Hulu.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And used to work under Will Smith.

[Antoine Fuqua]

Years ago and stuff like that. They weren't the only ones. But primarily those four brothers reached out to me directly. And Charlie Mack was the most profound because I had said something about Will Smith prior to Bad Boys Ride or Die coming out, which by the way, was a fantastic movie I've now seen about five times. And Charlie Mack said, what about Grace? Stephen A. He made a mistake. And I explained to Charlie Mack that as bad as I thought it was to be slapping a black man on national television, what really vexed me most was how it would affect Will Packer, how it would affect Antoine Fuqua, how it would affect Chris Rock. And I thought about the collateral damage that would take fold and how it would detrimentally affect opportunities for all of us down the line. And I just found myself asking, how could he do that? How could he lose himself and hurt all of us like that? But Will Smith is a fantastic artist who's done so much for so many people in this world, especially stuff, you know, folks from our community that reality is, is they were right. And I've known that for quite some times, which is why I haven't said anything from Will Smith. To see him in the movies is a great thing. To see him still thriving is a great thing. Chris Rock has moved on with his life. Who says Will Smith isn't entitled to do so himself? And to think about him coming back to the big stage and being at the awards and what have you, I'm quite sure he'll get a good ovation and it'll be because none of us want to be measured by our worst moment. All of us are flawed in the eyes of God. I knew that before, but I know that even now. And my man Dougie and Antoine Fuqua and the Will Packer and especially to my man Charlie Mack. I just want to say thank you. Want to say thank you for reminding me of something I should have known all along. Despite what Will Smith did, he still wanted a great ones and he's one of the genuine good guys. He made a mistake and all of us should move on. Especially since Chris Rock has moved on and we should just march ahead and wish him nothing but the best to him and his family. That's where I'm at with it. I just wanted to say that.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101 free agents. We'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.