In West Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days… Hey everyone! I hope you all are staying healthy and safe during this time. I’m really sorry that I haven’t posted in a while.
But… I’ll try to make it up to you with this week’s review! I’m still really into autobiographies and recently found a good one.
It’s Will by Will Smith!
Most of you probably know him from the hit TV series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, or the Bad Boys franchise. Here, we get a glimpse into how he became the person/entertainment superstar he is today.
Certain things I’ve always appreciated about Will Smith, especially lately, are his honesty and down-to-earth personality, which shines through in Will.
He begins with his upbringing, which included describing the emotional as well as physical abuse inflicted by his father. In the book, he delves into how these traumatic events deeply impacted his perception of himself and what it means to truly be happy.
Of course, there are hilarious moments, with explaining why he actually paid his own child support. (I know – crazy right?)
From detailing how he met DJ Jazzy Jeff and becoming a multimillionaire at 20 years-old, (then rapidly losing the money) to befriending Nelson Mandela and his daughter, Willow, shocking him one day by shaving her head, so many elements of Will Smith’s book will make you gasp out loud.
Also, another reason why I found the novel quite fascinating is his insightfulness. In the latter half, Will incorporates his profound journey of discovering self-worth and articulates it incredibly well. At one point, he went to great lengths so he could engage in self-care, which proved to be a productive, but further, an emotional time.
Overall, Will Smith is so transparent in this book. He draws readers in by highlighting the defining moments of his life and career, ultimately crafting an excellent autobiography.