Resurging Will Smith Negative Sentiment: PR & Brand Opportunity
The user's observation of a 'recent hate' and 'so many posts / comments ridiculing him' indicates a significant shift or resurgence in public sentiment towards Will Smith. While he is a well-known public figure, this renewed negative discussion signals a conversation happening. For public relations agencies and crisis management firms, this presents an opportunity to analyze the underlying drivers of this renewed sentiment (e.g., new incidents, resurfaced past events, or evolving cultural perceptions). Brands considering celebrity endorsements or those navigating public opinion can learn valuable lessons about the longevity and re-emergence of public controversies, informing their own risk assessment and communication strategies.
Origin Reddit Post
r/outoftheloop
What’s up with the recent hate toward Will Smith?
Posted by u/konayuki28•08/01/2025
I am not following why there are so many posts / comments ridiculing him.
Edit: I am familiar with the Chris rock incident but that was so long ago…?
Context: https://www.reddit.com/r/crap
Top Comments
u/NAMROTAG
Answer: it’s widely known that Tupac was Jada’s (Will’s wife) true love. So that’s affected his psyche and his public portrayal of a happy family. To add to him destroy his public image, he a
u/Send_me_hedgehogs
Well, yeah but of all the men she could have chosen, IIRC she went with her son’s friend? That aspect of it seemed a bit….off….to put it mildly.
u/Zylonite134
Answer: he is too cringe
u/ApparentlyIronic
Answer: Will Smith's public perception at the moment isn't at its best. It shifted negatively significantly after infamous slap of Chris Rock during the Oscars after a joke at his wife's expe
u/eddiewachowski
The same night he won an Oscar for Best Actor.
u/qwilliams92
PR 💀
u/ThrashingBunny
Yes, that's true. Which is why I said I don't know much about his kids. But I feel I am in the majority of people that don't really follow him so yes, my perception is about what comes up. Wh
u/GraeWraith
If you're aware of someone's charity, then low-cost, tax-deductable PR works on you.
u/liamdun
Huh when did this happen?
u/the-truffula-tree
They’re still married and it wasn’t an affair. They have a (messy and now public) open relationship
u/imbender
Answer: Since the incident when he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, his popularity took a major hit, and now it feels like he’s doing whatever he can to get back in the spotlight. He always
u/ThrashingBunny
Answer: I'm sure you'll get a better answer than mine. But it's a combination.
It appears he is currently going through a midlife crisis and trying to reclaim who he was in his youth as a c
u/h3yitsjay
Like when? Years ago?
u/SheepyJello
Answer: he slapped chris rock
u/Throbbing-Kielbasa-3
Answer: It's not recent, it's been slowly building up for years now. His (ex?) wife had an affair and they decided to air their dirty laundry in a public interview, which is where public opin
u/qwilliams92
I see you’re one the people who see Jaden once or twice a year on the internet for doing something goofy and judge him as a weird and bad person and ignore his years of charity work.