Will Smith made his first public appearance in 8 months at the LA red carpet premiere of his newest film, Emancipation. The actor attended the event with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and their children, Trey, Jaden, and Willow.
The premiere was held at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles on 30 November. Smith has not made a public appearance since March 2022.
Trey Smith, Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the premiere of Apple Original Films’ “Emancipation” at Regency Village Theatre on November 30, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
He received major public backlash after an anger outburst at the 2022 Oscars, where the actor slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage. The star was forced to take a temporary hiatus after the incident.
Emancipation is Smith’s first movie role since his award-winning King Richard performance in 2021. The Smith family made the most of the occasion and walked the red carpet in style.
What Is Emancipation About?
Emancipation is the story of a slave named Peter, portrayed by Will Smith. During Civil War America, Peter flees a plantation in Louisiana after he is whipped to near death.
The harrowing escape story follows Peter as he evades cold-blooded killers and navigates the treacherous terrain of the Louisiana swamps on his journey to a chance at life in the north.
Will Smith plays an enslaved man in Louisiana in the 1860s who escapes his plantation in the 2022 American historical action film Emancipation (Credit: Apple Studios)
Fans speculated that the film would be shelved for a quite some time due to Smith’s anger incident at the 2022 Oscars. A 2023 release was initially expected, but Apple TV+ announced the film would debut in December 2022.
Reception of Will Smith in His Latest Role
Smith shared that he understands if his fans are not ready to watch Emancipation after the Oscars incident with Chris Rock.
However, he hopes the audience appreciates the artistic work of the other high-profile actors in the film.
Smith told FOX 5 DC’s Kevin McCarthy, “I completely understand that if… someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready… My deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team.”
Will Smith as Peter and Ben Foster as Fassel in the 2022 American historical action film Emancipation (Credit: Apple Studios)
The star continued, “My deepest concern is my team – Antoine Fuqua has done what I think is the greatest work of his entire career. The people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team. At this point, that’s what I’m working for,” he said.
“I’m hoping that the material – the power of the film, the timeliness of the story – I’m hoping that the good that can be done would open people’s hearts at a minimum to see and recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film.”
Apple TV+ announced that the film will enter the awards race after a largely positive reception during the films first screening at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st Annual Legislative Conference.
What The Smith Family Wore to the Emancipation Premiere
The Smith family rolled onto the red carpet for the premiere in style.
Jada Pinkett Smith stunned in a Stephane Rolland Fall 2022 Haute Couture gown that resembled an ethereal cloud. Silver metallic Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony sandals complemented the dress that featured voluptuous ruffles on the high-low skirt and train.
Jada Pinkett Smith in a long crystal-embroidered Stéphane Rolland asymmetrical gown (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
Her Kat Kim diamond bracelets and ring complimented the embellishments on the gown. You can check out her popular Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony sandals in many different versions at Farfetch.
Jada Pinkett Smith shows off her feet in silver metallic Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony sandals (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
Will Smith walked the red carpet in a three-piece Dolce & Gabbana suit. He wore a slightly oversized maroon suit with a light pink dress shirt and a large diamond collar pin replacing a tie.
Will Smith in Dolce & Gabbana, Charmaine Bingwa in Cong Tri, and Ben Foster in Brioni for the premiere of Emancipation held at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles (Credit: James Manning / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Jaden Smith promoted his own fashion brand, MSFTSreps, in the Anti-Federal Reserve suit. The oversized suit was splendid on the star, paired with sneakers.
Jaden Smith in an “Anti Federal Reserve Suit” from MSFTSrep, a brand he founded in 2012 alongside actor Moises Arias and musician Daniel D’Artiste (Credit: PAPIXS / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Willow Smith left the chains, plaid, and platform boots at home and instead chose a sleek yet edgy Stella McCartney Spring 2023 Ready-To-Wear look.
Willow Smith shows off her shaved eyebrows and curly-tousled hair (Credit: PAPIXS / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The all-black look featured a midriff-baring waistcoat paired with low-sung black slacks.
The fitted outfit might have gone unnoticed on the red carpet if it weren’t for the striking crystal leaf cutouts on the hips, embellished with sparkling crystals. The singer accessorized with several silver rings and a contrasting black ring.
Willow Smith rocks a Stella McCartney suit with low-rise trousers featuring crystal-studded cutouts (Credit: PAPIXS / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Willow styled her hair into a blunt-cut wavy bob with an asymmetrical slant. She showed off her shaved eyebrows and styled her hair with a side part, covering one side of her face, and displaying a single shaved eyebrow.
Jada Pinkett Smith in a white Stephane Rolland gown and her daughter, Willow Smith, in a black cropped vest paired with matching low-rise hip-cutout crystal-embellished pants from Stella McCartney’s Spring 2023 collection (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
She completed her look with a pair of black Versace platform shoes. The 6.7-inch heels featured a dramatic point to complete the edgy look.