Jaleel White, Will Smith
Alberto E. Rodriguez; Borja B. Hojas/WireImage/Getty Images(2)Jaleel White’s memory gave him the opportunity to offer an explanation for situations such as falling out with him Will Smith.
During an exclusive interview with We weekly About his memory Growing upwhich was released on Tuesday, Nov. 19, White, 47, shared what he hoped Smith, 56, pulled from quotes about his bond and subsequent fallout.
“The funny thing is when you cross paths in our business, you never know how much or how little a moment is for each other. And it can play with your mind,” White said. Said about telling your side of the story. “It didn’t go nearly the way I thought it was going to go with the things I said about my interactions with Will.”
White had a specific message he wanted to leave Smith with, adding, “I’ve always wanted to get to know Will — and I’m not sure he ever did — I’ve moved on from him. How appreciated. I saw it coming before the rest of America had a chance to see it. I could see it coming to the NBA All-Star Stay in School Jam and think, ‘That dude’s energy I have too much.’ And you won’t necessarily get credit for it when you’re a kid.
In his memoir, Smith got the chance to pitch the show after White signed an overall production deal with Universal in the late ’90s. contribution (which came after White’s cameo The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) seemed promising until White was told by those around him—including his agent—that nothing would come of it because of the other people involved in these decisions.
“I should have called Will directly, and the truth was, I wanted to work with Will so badly,” White wrote in the book. “Soon after I met Will, his head of TV would be relieved of his duties, which complicated the chain of command. And Will was becoming such a big star, so fast, that I didn’t have the guts to call him on the phone myself months later and ask, ‘Hey, man, why did you take your TV head off? My agent said I don’t have a deal on this show on UPN.’ are presenting and I know in my heart that this foundation is weaker than ours.
White eventually signed on to star in the short-lived series. Grown up. After believing it was the safe option, writing, “I decided to go with Grown up. Instead of finding a show with Will Smith — sticking to my guns and being patient with the process essentially ended my relationship with Will. There were no invitations to his house or to the sets of his film, ‘What’s going on?’
After reflecting on the incident for his book, White realized how many outsiders were involved in the situation.
“When I almost got the chance to work with him, [I now] Go back and look at the number of people who conspired to make sure we don’t speak directly anymore,” White said. us. “It’s useless to me. But by the time I get it and I have to express it, it’s again one of those areas where the book just becomes therapeutic.
White rose to stardom playing Steve Urkle on the hit ’90s sitcom. Family matters. Since then, White has continued to work with appearances in films such as Dreamgirls, who made the potato salad? And hustle and bustle And on guest star appearances Boston Legal, House, Castle, Bones, The Big Show Show and his current CBS game show Flip side.
The opportunity to reflect on the highs and lows of child stardom allowed White to learn more about himself.
“When I finished. Family matters As a bleary-eyed 21-year-old, I was excited to jump into my TV writing career. I just knew what was ahead for me. But I backed out due to family pressure to enter college. Every bit of me wanted to go back to the comedy writers’ room,” White explained us. “But I didn’t realize that there would be so many obstacles in my way. The way I grew up participating in the filming of the show, I got to meet the showrunners, writers and actors on set. I’ve never understood that clear division between. I was actually more impressed with the writers who were working on our show.
White would like to continue writing—in addition to acting—after his release. Growing up.
“I definitely want to write more. I always hold out the possibility that I’ll be called on to write more for scripted television. I’m not holding my breath, but I’m keeping an eye out for that opportunity. I’m all for it. I want to,” he admitted. “But at the same time, the media has changed now. I just hope that I continue to be a part of entertainment that really hits with large groups of people and really strikes a cord. I laugh, cheer. And want to provide excitement.”
Growing up is out now.
