Fresh Prince of Bel-Air icon Janet Hubert is setting the record straight about her relationship with Will Smith and it has nothing to do with a rumored million-dollar payout.
While appearing on The Big Tigger Show this week, the 68-year-old actress, best known as the original Aunt Vivian on the beloved ’90s sitcom, gave fans a candid glimpse into what her reconciliation with Smith really looks like.
‘It’s so good,’ she said of their friendship, before crediting the Oscar-winning actor for giving her meaningful support far beyond a checkbook. ‘I’ma give my boy — I’m gonna give my baby his props. He put together the website with his team for me.’
Rather than write a big check to rectify their past, Smith invested in Hubert’s future by backing her animation project, funding her website and providing access to his full tech and social media team to expand her online presence.
He even helped her with presentations for Netflix and Amazon.
When asked if he gave her millions, she answered:’ He didn’t give me millions of dollars.’
In response, co-host Jazzy McBee said it seemed Smith gave her help ‘with the resources’ she needed and that was ‘more than enough.’
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air icon Janet Hubert is setting the record straight about her relationship with Will Smith and it has nothing to do with a rumored million-dollar payout
Hubert agreed and revealed that Smith went a step further by joining her in Miami at an Embrace Girls Foundation event she has supported for more than two decades.
The Bad Boys: Ride or Die star spent three hours with 300 underserved children, handing out books and T-shirts and reading stories as Hubert presented her project.
The update comes nearly five years after Hubert and Smith reunited during the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion special on HBO Max, ending a bitter feud that spanned nearly three decades.
During the reunion, the actors emotionally patched up their relationship with clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula on hand at the scene.
‘I hated what you did. I just hated what you did. You took my career away of 30-something years,’ she said, struggling not to cry. ‘You just went too far when you were younger and I know you always had to win.’
Smith confessed that he ‘went way too far and said things to people that wouldn’t know how to hold that information, and then once you put it in, then the machine grabs it. Then they start putting their own spin on it.’
The original rift dates back to 1993, when Hubert exited the sitcom after three seasons.
At the time, Smith publicly labeled her ‘difficult’ and ‘unprofessional’ — a stigma Hubert has said destroyed her career.
Rather than write a big check to rectify their past, Smith invested in Hubert’s future by backing her animation project, funding her website and providing access to his full tech and social media team
‘Calling a Black woman difficult in Hollywood is the kiss of death,’ she explained during their reunion.
Since then, both stars have taken steps toward healing.
Smith has openly acknowledged his mistakes, telling Vice’s Black Comedy in America: ‘I made a horrible error and misjudged her value, power, and beauty in the show.’
For Hubert, the public reconciliation has blossomed into genuine friendship.
The original rift dates back to 1993, when Hubert exited the sitcom after three seasons
At the time, Smith publicly labeled her ‘difficult’ and ‘unprofessional’ — a stigma Hubert has said destroyed her career
She’s even praised Smith’s recent work, calling his Oscar-winning turn in King Richard the most enjoyable performance she’s seen since Hidden Figures.
Clips from Hubert’s radio interview quickly spread across social media, where fans celebrated the transformation of their once-fractured bond.
‘Ms. Janet looks rejuvenated & happy — so glad Will came to his senses,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘I am grateful that ppl can see reconciliation works and is a healing process. Letting go is the blessing.’
