Will Smith Gets 100% Real How 'Emancipation' Film Helped Him Survive Chris Rock Slap Controversy

Will Smith frequently took inspiration from the words "sacred motivation" scribbled on the script's front page while filming "Emancipation."

In recent months, though, the Oscar winner relied on the term even more as he attempted to overcome the fallout from his Oscars Chris Rock slap and banishment from the ceremony.

"It's like when you can locate and center yourself in your divine purpose, you can withstand anything and everything," Smith said of the phrase that met him when he accepted the lead part in Antoine Fuqua's "Emancipation," which is currently showing in theaters and will be streaming Apple TV+ on Friday.

"Sacred motivation" became a theme for him and his co-stars, according to Smith.

Associated Press noted that the film was done months before the infamous Will Smith Chris Rock slap for making a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, on the Oscars stage.

Will Smith Learns Important Lesson From "Emancipation" Character "Whipped Peter"

Smith plays Peter, an enslaved person who uses wit to evade slave hunters and survive the alligator-infested wetlands of Louisiana in his quest for freedom.

Smith claimed that the criticism, memes, and 10-year ban from the Oscars he received for his performance taught him a lesson in perseverance.

Later in the evening, when he won the Academy Award for finest actor in "King Richard," the "slap" seemed to overshadow his greatest career success.

As Smith reeled from the blowback, Peter steadied him and helped him get back on track.

In a recent interview, one of his first since the Oscars, Smith remarked, "Peter has absolutely helped me through these last few months, just reestablishing within myself in what my purpose is in this world."

After accepting his ban, he has frequently apologized for his inappropriate behavior.

Will Smith Says "Emancipation" Character Comforted Him After the Controversial Chris Rock Slap at the Oscars

During the Oscars, Will Smith revealed he became a more "alive artist" following the release of his critically acclaimed film.

The "King Richard" actor told Metro.co.uk, "Probably about two years ago, I started exposing aspects of myself that I had hidden from myself for my entire career," referenced his 2021 autobiography Will.

He claimed he authored a book after facing some of the issues he had been avoiding. At the same time, he claimed he was getting ready for "King Richard."

"And I started to see the connection between mining that emotional space, and the quality of my acting started to elevate," the actor told the outlet.

From "King Richard" to "Emancipation," Will Smith says he became a "more alive" artist by confronting his problems, pain, and suffering, per The News International.

Smith said that playing Peter in "Emancipation" helped him heal after the Will Smith Chris Rock Slap night.

"Peter was embracing his suffering and even finding a way to be grateful for it," he added.

He said Peter's lessons about enduring suffering with faith and moving one's heart into a loving place helped him get through many tough nights.

"Peter has been very, very helpful for me over these past seven months," Smith concluded.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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