Will Smith’s Backstage Routine That Led to Fame

Will Smith’s path to acting success began in an unexpected way, thanks to a backstage encounter that set his life on a new trajectory. In a recent episode of Black Comedy in America on Vice, Smith opened up about how a random meeting backstage at a popular talk show helped launch his career and eventually led him to land the role of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

In 1989, Smith, alongside his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, won the first-ever rap Grammy for their hit song "Parents Just Don’t Understand." However, after his second album didn’t perform well, he found himself struggling financially, deep in debt with the IRS. After selling his possessions and paying off some taxes, Smith moved to Los Angeles with just $4,000 in a paper bag, determined to pursue a career in acting.

Following advice from his girlfriend, Smith began spending time at the backstage of The Arsenio Hall Show, which was a major cultural hub in the late '80s and early '90s. The atmosphere behind the scenes was electric, drawing in influential figures and making it one of the most happening spots in town, even for those not appearing on the show.

During his time at Arsenio Hall, Smith’s persistence paid off. He eventually met Benny Medina, the record executive who was inspired by his own life to create the concept for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Medina pitched the idea to Smith, leading to one of the most iconic roles in television history.

This moment marked the beginning of Smith’s journey from a struggling artist to a beloved TV star. His story is part of the larger narrative explored in Black Comedy in America, airing on Vice on Tuesday, December 2, at 10 p.m.