Janet Hubert on Will Smith Feud: ‘I Lost My Mind’

Remember the iconic “Aunt Viv” from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Janet Hubert, the actress who originated the role, is speaking out about the painful fallout she experienced with Will Smith back in the 90s. It wasn’t just a professional disagreement; for Hubert, it had devastating personal consequences.

The Devastating Impact of the Feud

Hubert recently sat down with talk show host Sherri Shepherd and didn’t hold back when describing the toll the feud took on her life. After being forced out of the show following her conflict with Smith, she felt her career and life were irrevocably damaged. “Thirty years of my life was gone. 30 years of a career was gone. House was gone. Money was gone. I lost my mind, too,” she revealed.

At the time of her exit, Hubert was also dealing with postpartum depression and had lost a significant amount of weight, around 70 pounds. This period was incredibly challenging, both professionally and personally.

Finding Forgiveness and Moving Forward

When asked about forgiveness, Hubert shared her perspective on moving past such a traumatic experience. “People ask me, ‘Well, how do you get past that? How do you forgive someone?’ You have to forgive someone to release yourself,” she explained. She expressed a desire to finally put the constant rehashing of the feud to rest.

She emphasized that while others might struggle to forgive, “you’re not me.” This highlights the deeply personal nature of healing and letting go of past hurts.

Reconciliation on the Reunion Special

The good news is that Hubert and Smith eventually reconciled. This significant moment happened during The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special, which aired in 2020. It was a powerful moment for fans and, presumably, for the actors involved.

I made a horrible error and misjudgment of her value and power and beauty to the show. I horribly underestimated what she was for me at that point in my life. — Will Smith on their past conflict

Smith publicly acknowledged his past mistakes, admitting he misjudged Hubert’s importance to the show and his own life at the time. This admission was a crucial step in their reconciliation.

It’s inspiring to see how Janet Hubert has navigated such a difficult chapter in her life and career, ultimately finding a path toward healing and closure. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact of our actions and the importance of empathy.