Will Smith reveals he shed 30 pounds after photo of him in the ‘worst shape’ of his life went viral

Will Smith has opened up about his recent weight loss after he took over hosting an episode of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook talk show. red table talk.

In the full episode, which dropped Wednesday, the 54-year-old Oscar winner discussed starring in his new Apple TV+ movie Emancipation.

Will explained that the role, which was recently turned down by the Golden Globes, inspired him to lose some weight after he posted a photo of himself in a “daddy body” that subsequently went viral.

He hosted the Red Table Talk episode with his and Jada’s children Jaden, 24, and Willow, 22, as well as his oldest son, Trey, 30, from his first marriage to Sheree Zampino.

Going skinny: Will Smith, 54, filled in for his wife Jada Pinkett Smith on Wednesday on an episode of Red Table Talk in which he discussed losing 30 pounds to star in Emancipation

The actor said playing a character inspired by the former slave known as Whipped Peter “absolutely changed” his life and inspired him to make a major life change.

“You guys may remember I posted the out-of-shape picture, the ‘dad’s body’ picture,” he recalled. ‘The “daddy’s body” photo was my start of preparing to lose weight for Peter. I was probably 225 when I started, and at the very least, in the movie, I hit 195. [pounds].’

He previously shared that his time at home in the early days of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic led him to eat more than usual. Added to a more sedentary lifestyle than usual, he made him fat.

His Instagram photo, which was shared in May 2021, showed him in a blue, white and black hoodie that was left open to reveal his shirtless torso and meaty stomach.

“I’m going to be honest with you all: I’m in the worst shape of my life,” he wrote at the time.

The beginning: He began his weight loss journey with a viral photo of himself sporting a “dad body” at “225-ish” pounds. He called it the ‘worst way’ of his life.

Slim down: Will told his sons Trey, 30; Jayden, 24; and Willow, 22, who lost about 30 pounds to star in his Apple TV+ movie Emancipation, in which she played a former slave.

Will described wanting to lose weight for his own health and satisfaction, though he was also the right choice to play a formerly enslaved man.

He explained how being thinner would help put audiences on the same page with his performance in Emancipation.

“For me, physicality is a big part of what makes people go ‘Wow!'” he shared. “Being able to transition and manipulate your body as an actor is a big part of the suspension of disbelief for people”.

Smith went through the standard diet and exercise regimen to get in shape for her part, but continued to lose pounds even after filming began due to the unsanitary conditions.

“Actually, being in the swamps…it’s hot, it’s unpleasant,” he revealed. “You are actually in the swamp, so your hands are dirty, so you don’t really want to grab food and eat.”

That helped: “Actually, being in the swamps…it’s hot, it’s disgusting,” she revealed. “You are actually in the swamp, so your hands are dirty, so you don’t really want to grab food and eat.”

Getting into character: “For me, physicality is a big part of what makes people go ‘Wow!'” he explained. “Being able to transition and manipulate your body as an actor is a big part of character.” suspension of disbelief for people.”

Will turned the first leg of his weight loss and film preparation into the YouTube original series Best Shape Of My Life.

The episodes highlighted how out of shape she had gotten and featured her attempts to lose weight, but also delved into dark personal issues.

Smith appeared with her mother, Caroline Bright, as the two discussed the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father.

In a particularly painful moment, he confessed to her that the only time he had contemplated suicide in his life was after witnessing his father attack her, and his belief that he failed to protect her led him to feel like a “coward.”

Difficult conversation: Smith previously documented her weight loss on Best Shape Of My Life, which included a discussion with her mother about how her father abused her.