As the highly anticipated Bad Boys: Ride or Die gears up for its theater release on June 7, Will Smith appears to be taking a strategic approach to the film’s promotion by potentially limiting his public appearances to avoid sensitive topics related to his personal life.
Reuniting with Martin Lawrence
The fourth installment of the buddy cop franchise sees Smith reunite with co-star Martin Lawrence, marking their first collaboration since Bad Boys for Life in 2020. Fans of the series are eager to see the dynamic duo back in action.
Avoiding the press?
Speculation has arisen that Smith might be avoiding traditional media interviews to sidestep discussions about his past altercation at the Oscars and his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith. Instead, Smith is said to be focusing on a robust social media campaign to engage with fans and promote the movie.
“Will doesn’t want to do any promo other than social media because he doesn’t want to get into the slap or his marriage again,” an insider reportedly shared.
Oscars incident and personal revelations
The actor’s decision comes after the infamous incident at the Oscars, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage followed by winning his first Oscar for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. Smith later discussed the incident on “The Daily Show,” expressing that it was the culmination of long-held frustration.
Furthermore, Smith and Pinkett Smith’s marriage has been under public scrutiny, especially after revelations about their personal life, including Pinkett Smith’s “entanglement” and their separation. Smith has expressed a willingness to have his life examined, believing that an unexamined life is almost worthless.
Smith’s social media promotion
Since the official trailer release, Smith has been active on social media, sharing content related to Bad Boys: Ride or Die, including behind-the-scenes moments with Lawrence, fan art and snippets from public appearances discussing the film.
Despite the avoidance of traditional press, Smith has not shied away from the public eye, recently performing “Men In Black” at Coachella with his family in attendance.
Smith’s approach to promoting Bad Boys: Ride or Die reflects a desire to focus on the positive aspects of his career while navigating the complexities of his personal life. His fans can look forward to the film’s release and his continued engagement through social media.
