Will Smith Reflects on Past Feud with Janet Hubert: "I Made a Horrible Error"

Will Smith recently opened up about his past tension with Janet Hubert, his former co-star on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Hubert, who played Aunt Viv for the show's first three seasons, left in 1993 due to what were described as "creative differences," with Daphne Maxwell Reid taking over the role.

Speaking on Vice’s Black Comedy in America series, Smith admitted he had misjudged Hubert during their time together on the show. “I made a horrible error and misjudgment of her value and power and beauty to the show,” Smith said to host Chris Spencer. Reflecting on their dynamic, he added, “I horribly underestimated what she was for me at that point in my life.”

For years, their relationship was fraught with public accusations. Smith once claimed Hubert wanted the show to center around her character, while Hubert made counterclaims about Smith’s behavior. The feud continued until their emotional reunion during the show’s 30th anniversary special on HBO Max in 2020, where they reconciled.

A year later, Hubert told People magazine that her relationship with Smith had significantly improved. “I meant it with all my heart when I hugged him because I saw that little boy, that little 21-year-old boy,” she said. She noted that if they had talked openly back then, much of the drama could have been avoided. Now, the two share a cordial bond and “text each other back and forth all the time.”