Will Smith vetoes RuPaul’s cameo in Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air over drag queen ‘image’ issues
Will Smith reportedly refused to let RuPaul document a visitor’s view of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air ‘because of his image’.
The 54-year-old actor was very nervous about committing to the long-running sitcom, which ran for six seasons from 1990 to 1996, and while he “rarely” rejected the production staff’s strategies, he reportedly insisted. was a “very bad idea”. to introduce a long-term drag racing star, 62.
At that moment, RuPaul (full name: RuPaul Andre Charles) gained fame in the music world with songs like Supermodel (You Better Work).
DailyMail.com has contacted Smith’s representatives for comment.
In the extract obtained with Yahoo! EntertainmentIn her new e-book, Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television, journalist Thea Glassman recounts what happened when government producer David Steven Simons consulted on the episode.
No thanks: Will Smith, 54, allegedly refused to let RuPal document guest appearance on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air ‘because of his image’; seen in March 2022 in Hollywood
Strong Answer: According to an excerpt from Thea Glassman’s e-book Freaks, Gleeks and Dawson’s Creek, Yahoo! Entertainment , Smith informed producers that it would be a “really bad idea” for RuPaul, 62, to have a visitor take a look; seen in 2019 in LA
Glassman wrote, “Every story required Smith’s approval.
Smith often rejected ideas, but he did when Simon performed with RuPauls, a drag queen who made a name for herself with dance numbers like Supermodel (You Better Work). (Simon recalled) “I keep in mind that he said it would be an extremely unhealthy concept. And I said, ‘No, listen, listen to my story. . . .’
Smith, Simon recalls, refused. He kept repeating that it was a bad idea. ‘Good good. We don’t need to, Simon argued.
“From Simon’s point of view: “The reason he would say no is because of his image. Period. The end,” he informed me.
There don’t seem to be any details on Smith’s specific reason why RuPaul’s image might be so damaging to the collection.
After such early rap hits as Parents Just Don’t Understand, Smith greatly increased his fame with a collection of comedy hits.
Aside from a few minor roles, 1990’s Fresh Prince marked Smith’s first major feature.
He then went on to have a very lucrative film career, which peaked when he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, as well as a low point when he slapped Chris Rock at the ceremony for a joke about his spouse Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. . .
The Matrix actress shaves her head to prevent hair loss caused by alopecia areata, which Rock claims he didn’t know about.
Power of Veto: Glassman is correct that any story needed Smith’s approval, even though he almost never indicated the concepts. She does not provide specific details about how Smith feared his “image” might be tarnished; seen with the Fresh Prince chisel
Rising Star: At the time, RuPaul was recognized for a series of club-hit singles, but later expanded to additional roles, formerly a hot competitor on Drag Race; seen in 2019
The producer additionally informed the writer that there have been some “unique perks” of the engagement at the moment, as well as taking home expensive props and costumes.
Thea wrote: “Working at Fresh Prince felt like a ‘foxhole’, Simon recalls, but it was a really luxurious foxhole with special perks.
After each shoot, the writers chose a bouquet of flowers to take with them from preparations delivered daily to the Banks front room (a price tag of nearly $500).
“When the season was over, they could pull gadgets from the characters’ wardrobes, as well as Smith’s, which were bought from fancy stores in Los Angeles, where sports jackets could cost as much as $1,500. While Carlton’s polos generally remained intact, Uncle Phil’s cozy sweaters were successful.
