The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion proved to be a heartfelt coming together reconciliation of Will Smith and his former co-star

How ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air&#8217; Reunion Healed a 27-Year-Old Feud for Will Smith

The year was 1990, and the color was neon. The phenomenon known as Will Smith
made an entrance into the Banks mansion and our lives through The Fresh Prince
of Bel-Air. It has been 32 years since its premiere, and the NBC show still has
a special place in our hearts. In November 2020, the sitcom celebrated its
30-year anniversary with a full cast reunion on HBO Max. However, for the Fresh
Prince himself, this wasn’t just a happy walk down memory lane, but something
much deeper.



Granted, the show was an all-out comedy, but it wasn’t all hunky dory when they
called the cut. In fact, the sets of the hilarious series saw an intense falling
out between Will Smith [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/] and a costar
that lasted for close to three long decades. Let us find out what went down
between them and how they could finally bury the hatchet.

ALSO READ: A Young Will Smith Once Revealed the Story Behind His Rapper Name
Fresh Prince
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-a-young-will-smith-once-revealed-the-story-behind-his-rapper-name-fresh-prince/]


WILL SMITH ATTEMPTS TO END THE 27-YEAR-LONG FEUD

For avid Fresh Prince
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-will-smith-gets-real-about-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-says-f-ck-it-give-me-10-minutes/]
fans, Janet Hubert is definitely not an unfamiliar name. In fact, for many, she
is and will always remain “the original aunt Viv.“ For the first three seasons
of the show, Hubert flawlessly embodied the role of Vivian Banks. Her character
was a strong and proud African-American woman with an obvious soft spot for her
nephew Will. The earlier episodes showed some impeccable performances and
amazing chemistry between the two actors.



The fourth season saw a new aunt Viv and, just like that, Hubert was gone
reportedly because of creative differences. There was a lot of bad blood between
Smith and Hubert, and the two did not shy away from expressing their views
publicly. Nevertheless, the reunion also celebrated the coming together of these
estranged colleagues. Will invited Janet to sit down and once and for all
address all their issues. 

ALSO READ: Children of Fresh Prince Actor Will Smith Make Fun of His Attire in
the Sitcom
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-children-of-fresh-prince-actor-will-smith-make-fun-of-his-attire-in-the-sitcom-crop-top/]


WILL AND JANET HUBERT HAVE A HEART-TO-HEART ABOUT THE PAST

By Hubert’s own admission
[https://www.etonline.com/will-smith-and-janet-hubert-bury-their-27-year-feud-in-tearful-fresh-prince-reunion-sit-down-156583],
she was “offered this really bad deal in the third season.” Additionally, she
had an unhappy home life at the time and was expecting a new baby. Contrary to
the rumors that floated back in 1996, Hubert was never fired; she turned down
the offer. After listening to her side, Will Smith realized he had been unfair
to his costar.

“During that time of her pregnancy, I wasn’t sensitive. I wasn’t perceptive,”
admitted the Hancock actor.



Smith also laid out his perspective from back in the day. “I was 21 years old.
Everything was a threat to me,” reminisced Will. Janet further explained how she
was shunned by the industry, while the Men in Black
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-the-stinking-story-of-will-smith-tommy-lee-jones-and-a-torture-on-men-in-black-production/]
actor could easily move past the feud.

“Calling a Black woman difficult in Hollywood is the kiss of death,” stated
Hubert.

ALSO READ: From Ben Thomas to Richard Williams: 7 Will Smith Characters to
Revisit on His 54th Birthday
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-from-ben-thomas-to-richard-williams-7-will-smith-characters-to-revisit-on-his-54th-birthday/]

Granted, it took a while, but the two were finally able to understand one
another and embrace each other as old friends. Just before the hug, Smith said
an extremely heartfelt statement about Janet, and then the two apologized to
each other. 

“I could not do a 30-year celebration of this show and not celebrate you,
celebrate your contribution, and celebrate your contribution to my life.”



What are your views on the long-waited reconciliation of Will Smith and Janet
Hubert? Let us know in the comments. In the meantime, you can always rewatch The
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air streaming [https://www.netflix.com/in/title/70143818] on
Netflix.

 

 

Natasha Vijan

Comment

How ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air&#8217; Reunion Healed a 27-Year-Old Feud for Will Smith - Netflix Junkie

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Natasha is a writer at Netflix Junkie. Despite completing her Masters in Architecture from Hochschule Anhalt in Germany, she decided to follow her passion for storytelling.

Apart from working as an architect in the past, Natasha currently also ghostwrites for various travel and lifestyle blogs like italyfoodies.com, mypureplants.com and more. Moreover, she has also been involved as a screenplay analyst with Outstanding Screenplays London.

An avid cinephile, Natasha especially enjoys quirky dark comedies and gangster films. She can talk about films by Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie for days and even aspires to make her own film someday. When not at work, she can be found at at outdoor music concert or a stand-up gig. Additionally, she’s a feminist, LGBTQIA ally and a strong mental health advocate.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-healed-a-27-year-old-feud-for-will-smith

How ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air&#8217; Reunion Healed a 27-Year-Old Feud for Will Smith - netflix-junkie

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<p><strong>The year was 1990, and the color was neon.</strong> The phenomenon known as Will Smith made an entrance into the Banks mansion and our lives through <em>The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</em>. It has been <strong>32 years since its premiere</strong>, and the NBC show still has a special place in our hearts. In November 2020, the sitcom celebrated its 30-year anniversary with a full cast <strong>reunion on HBO Max</strong>. However, for the Fresh Prince himself, this wasn&#8217;t just a happy walk down memory lane, but something much deeper.</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion Trailer" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Kz2vYa5ZPA?start=20&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Granted, the show was an all-out comedy, but it wasn&#8217;t all hunky dory when they called the cut. In fact, the sets of the hilarious series saw an <strong>intense falling out between <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/">Will Smith</a> and a costar that lasted for close to three long decades.</strong> Let us find out what went down between them and how they could finally bury the hatchet.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-a-young-will-smith-once-revealed-the-story-behind-his-rapper-name-fresh-prince/" rel="bookmark">A Young Will Smith Once Revealed the Story Behind His Rapper Name Fresh Prince</a></p>
<h2>Will Smith attempts to end the 27-year-long feud</h2>
<p>For avid <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-will-smith-gets-real-about-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-says-f-ck-it-give-me-10-minutes/">Fresh Prince</a> fans, <strong>Janet Hubert is definitely not an unfamiliar name.</strong> In fact, for many, she is and will always remain <strong>&#8220;<em>the original aunt Viv.</em>&#8220;</strong> For the first three seasons of the show, Hubert flawlessly embodied the role of Vivian Banks. Her character was a strong and proud African-American woman with an obvious soft spot for her nephew Will. The earlier episodes showed some <strong>impeccable performances and amazing chemistry between the two actors.</strong></p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Best of Aunt Viv Compilation" width="1170" height="878" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CXPO9QTWh4A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>The fourth season saw a new aunt Viv and, just like that, Hubert was gone reportedly because of creative differences. There was a lot of <strong>bad blood between Smith and Hubert</strong>, and the two did not shy away from expressing their views publicly. Nevertheless, the reunion also celebrated the coming together of these estranged colleagues. <strong>Will invited Janet to sit down and once and for all address all their issues. </strong></p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-children-of-fresh-prince-actor-will-smith-make-fun-of-his-attire-in-the-sitcom-crop-top/" rel="bookmark">Children of Fresh Prince Actor Will Smith Make Fun of His Attire in the Sitcom</a></p>
<h2>Will and Janet Hubert have a heart-to-heart about the past</h2>
<p>By Hubert&#8217;s own <a href="https://www.etonline.com/will-smith-and-janet-hubert-bury-their-27-year-feud-in-tearful-fresh-prince-reunion-sit-down-156583" target="_blank" rel="noopener">admission</a>, she was &#8220;<em>offered this really bad deal in the third season.</em>&#8221; Additionally, she had an unhappy home life at the time and was expecting a new baby. Contrary to the rumors that floated back in 1996, <strong>Hubert was never fired; she turned down the offer.</strong> After listening to her side, Will Smith realized he had been unfair to his costar.</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>During that time of her pregnancy, I wasn&#8217;t sensitive. I wasn&#8217;t perceptive</em>,&#8221; admitted the <em>Hancock</em> actor.</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Janet Hubert Talks Life After ‘Fresh Prince’" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1SboKfimsGI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Smith also laid out his perspective from back in the day. &#8220;<em>I was 21 years old. Everything was a threat to me,&#8221; </em>reminisced Will. Janet further explained how <strong>she was shunned by the industry</strong>, while the <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-the-stinking-story-of-will-smith-tommy-lee-jones-and-a-torture-on-men-in-black-production/"><em>Men in Black</em></a> actor could easily move past the feud.</p>
<p>&#8220;<em>Calling a Black woman difficult in Hollywood is the kiss of death</em>,&#8221; stated Hubert.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-from-ben-thomas-to-richard-williams-7-will-smith-characters-to-revisit-on-his-54th-birthday/" rel="bookmark">From Ben Thomas to Richard Williams: 7 Will Smith Characters to Revisit on His 54th Birthday</a></p>
<p>Granted, it took a while, but the two were finally able to understand one another and <strong>embrace each other as old friends</strong>. Just before the hug, Smith said an extremely heartfelt statement about Janet, and then the <strong>two apologized to each other. </strong></p>
<p>&#8220;<em>I could not do a 30-year celebration of this show and not celebrate you, celebrate your contribution, and celebrate your contribution to my life.</em>&#8221;</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Will Smith Tears Up Ending &#039;Fresh Prince&#039; Feud w/ Janet Hubert" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WtlgO6ehbqw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>What are your views on the long-waited reconciliation of Will Smith and Janet Hubert? Let us know in the comments. In the meantime, you can always rewatch <em>The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</em> <a href="https://www.netflix.com/in/title/70143818" target="_blank" rel="noopener">streaming</a> on Netflix.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


A Young Will Smith Once Revealed the Story Behind His Rapper Name Fresh Prince

Children of Fresh Prince Actor Will Smith Make Fun of His Attire in the Sitcom

From Ben Thomas to Richard Williams: 7 Will Smith Characters to Revisit on His
54th Birthday

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How ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Reunion Healed a 27-Year-Old Feud for Will Smith - Netflix Junkie

Natasha is a writer at Netflix Junkie. Despite completing her Masters in Architecture from Hochschule Anhalt in Germany, she decided to follow her passion for storytelling. Apart from working as an architect in the past, Natasha currently also ghostwrites for various travel and lifestyle blogs like italyfoodies.com, mypureplants.com and more. Moreover, she has also been involved as a screenplay analyst with Outstanding Screenplays London. An avid cinephile, Natasha especially enjoys quirky dark comedies and gangster films. She can talk about films by Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie for days and even aspires to make her own film someday. When not at work, she can be found at at outdoor music concert or a stand-up gig. Additionally, she’s a feminist, LGBTQIA ally and a strong mental health advocate.

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How ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air&#039; Reunion Healed a 27-Year-Old Feud for Will Smith - Netflix Junkie

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How ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Reunion Healed a 27-Year-Old Feud for Will Smith

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