Will Smith’s awards show return at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards has been met with a mixed reaction from viewers.
Smith, 56, made a surprise appearance during the Grammys on Sunday, February 2, as part of the Recording Academy’s tribute to the late music producer Quincy Jones, who died in November 2024.
The pair had a long working relationship, as Jones was the executive producer and composer for Smith’s breakthrough acting role in the classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
“This past year, we lost one of the most groundbreaking and influential figures of our times: Quincy Jones. Known to friends around the world simply as Q,” Smith told Grammys viewers. “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. Quincy made so many music greats, across multiple genres, sound even greater, bringing the best out in legends.”
The Grammys’ extended In Memoriam segment also featured Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson and Stevie Wonder in a musical salute to Jones’ life and legacy.
Smith’s eulogy for Jones was the first time he’d appeared at a major awards show since he infamously slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
He went on to win the Best Actor Oscar later that same evening for King Richard, but was subsequently banned from attending the Academy Awards for a period of ten years. Smith apologized for striking Rock immediately after the ceremony and once again in an emotional YouTube video three months later.
Smith’s mere appearance at the Grammy Awards was divisive among viewers, with some criticizing producers for platforming the actor despite his use of physical violence at the Oscars.
“#WillSmith , a great artist in multiple arenas. But when you physically assault a fellow artist, on stage no less, you should not be honored with an appearance on the #Grammys,” one viewer wrote via X, while another added: “Hey #Grammys stop trying to make Will Smith happen.”
Another viewer felt there were better choices to pay homage to Jones, writing: “Grammys bad move giving a platform to Will Smith who committed violent assault reacting to what he perceived as an offensive attempted joke; so many others more worthy to pay tribute to Quincy Jones.”
The response to Smith’s segment at the Grammy Awards wasn’t entirely negative, as some viewers felt he was owed a second chance.
“I love that Will Smith was invited to the #GRAMMYs , cause the Oscars really played in his face with the slap. What a generational talent. He still deserves his flowers idc,” one X user argued.
Smith was in attendance at the Grammys with children Willow and Jaden Smith, the latter of whom turned heads on the red carpet for wearing a miniature, black house on his head.
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The 67th Annual Grammy Awards aired live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday.
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