Will Smith graced an awards show stage for the first time in three years.
For his first award show appearance he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, Smith introduced the tribute to Quincy Jones, which featured performances from Cynthia Erivo with Herbie Hancock, Lainey Wilson, and Stevie Wonder.
“This past year we lost one of the most groundbreaking and influential figures of our times, Quincy Jones,” Smith said of the 28-time Grammy-winning producer who died last November of pancreatic cancer.
He continued, “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives. But I have to say he changed mine forever. You probably wouldn't even know who Will Smith was if it wasn't for Quincy Jones.”
Smith, who described Quincy as a mentor, friend, and father figure, shared a memorable story from his time on the set of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which he executive produced.
At the time, a 22-year-old Smith was called off set by Jones, who confronted him about the poor quality of snacks available for the cast and crew.
“[Quincy] said, ‘So, let me get this straight. You want these people to work 16 or 18 hours a day so you can realize your dreams, and this is the food you think they should eat?’” Smith recalled. “He said, ‘I don't care if it's not in the budget, you pay for it out of your own pocket.’”
“He said something to me that became the absolute center of how I wanted to have my career, how I wanted to live my life. He looked right in my face and he said, ‘It is your job to take care of these people.’ And I've done everything I can through my career to try to live up to Quincy's demand,” he continued.
Smith praised Jones for his lifelong commitment of taking care of others and likened his spirit to a feast that nourished everyone around him. Concluding the tribute, Smith introduced Janelle Monáe, who performed Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
Smith's appearance was his first since the 2022 Oscars, where Chris Rock made jokes about Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head—caused by her alopecia condition. Will infamously yelled “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth,” before hopping on stage and slapping Rock.
