Will Smith vetoed RuPaul cameo on Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air over concerns about drag queen’s ‘image’

Will Smith reportedly refused to let RuPaul record a guest appearance on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air “because of his image.”

The 54-year-old actor was deeply involved in the decision making of the iconic comedy series – which ran for six seasons between 1990 and 1996 – and while he ‘infrequently’ turned down suggestions from the production team, he reportedly insisted it was a ‘really bad idea’. to bring in the future Drag Race star, 62.

At that time, RuPaul (full name: RuPaul Andre Charles) gained fame in the music world for songs like Supermodel (You Better Work).

DailyMail.com has reached out to Smith’s representatives for comment.

In an extract obtained by Yahoo! EntertainmentIn her new book, Freaks, Gleeks, And Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television, journalist Thea Glassman tells what happened when executive producer David Steven Simon suggested the cameo.

Strong Response: According to an excerpt from Thea Glassman’s book, Freaks, Gleeks, And Dawson’s Creek obtained by Yahoo! Entertainment, Smith told producers it would be a “really bad idea” to have RuPaul, 62, make a guest appearance; seen in 2019 in LA

Glassman wrote, “Each story required Smith’s approval.

Smith didn’t often turn down ideas, but he did when Simon pitched a cameo by RuPaul, a drag queen who made a name for herself with dance numbers like Supermodel (You Better Work). [Simon recalled]”I remember him saying that would be a really bad idea. And I said, ‘No, listen, listen to my story…'”

Smith, as Simon recalls, refused. He kept repeating that it was a bad idea. ‘Okay okay. We don’t have to,’ Simon objected.

“From Simon’s perspective, “The reason he’d say no is because of his image. Period. The end,” he told me.”

There don’t seem to be any additional details about Smith’s specific reason why RuPaul’s image could be so potentially damaging to the series.

After early rap hits like Parents Just Don’t Understand, Smith significantly increased his fame with the popular comedy series.

Aside from a few minor acting roles in 1990, Fresh Prince played Smith’s first major role.

He would go on to have a hugely successful film career, which reached its peak when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, as well as its nadir when he slapped Chris Rock at the ceremony over a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. .

The Matrix actress shaves her head to cover up hair loss due to alopecia, which Rock claims he didn’t know about.

Power of veto: Glassman has the right that any story required Smith’s approval, even though he rarely said no to ideas. She gives no specific details about how Smith feared his “image” would be tarnished; seen with the cast of Fresh Prince

Rising Star: At the time, RuPaul was known for a string of club-popular singles, but later expanded into more acting roles before heading up the hit reality competition Drag Race; seen in 2019

The producer also told the author that there were some “unique perks” of working on the show, including taking home expensive props and costumes.

Thea wrote, “Working for the Fresh Prince felt like being in a ‘foxhole’, Simon recalls, but a very luxurious foxhole with unique perks.

After each take, the writers would pick up a bouquet of flowers to take home from the arrangements that were delivered daily to the Bankses’ living room (worth nearly $500).

“Once the season was over, they were able to pull items from the characters’ wardrobes, including Smith’s, which were bought at luxury boutiques in LA where sports jackets could go for as much as $1,500. While Carlton’s polos often went untouched, Uncle Phil’s cozy sweaters were a hit.’