Culture November 1, 2021

Will Smith reveals he considered suicide in trailer for his new documentary

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Will Smith recently dropped the trailer for his "Best Shape of My Life" docuseries, revealing he once grappled with thoughts of taking his own life.

The "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star is publishing his autobiography, simply titled Will, on Nov. 9. In discussing revelations in the book with family members, including son Jaden and daughter Willow, he shocks them when he says, "That was the only time in my life that I considered suicide."

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The 53-year-old actor also admitted that he's not the hero he often portrays in films, such as "Men in Black."

"This began as a journey to get into the best shape of my life," he says at the start of the trailer. His goal was to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks; however, he said he discovered he was not mentally ready to do so.

At one point Smith declares, "I don't want to do any of this. I'm finished with ​the 'Best Shape of My Life.'"

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The clip also shows him reading a confessional statement, admitting, "What you've come to understand as Will Smith, the alien-annihilating MC, the bigger-than-life movie star, is largely a construction, a carefully crafted and honed character designed to protect myself, to hide myself from the world, to hide the coward."

The six-part unscripted docuseries "Best Shape of My Life" debuts Nov. 8 on Smith's YouTube channel.

Smith also stars as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams, in the film "King Richard," arriving Nov. 19.

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. You can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada) and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386.