Will Smith's Shocking Confession of Fear and Responsibility

Will Smith recently opened up about one of the most significant moments of his life—becoming a father for the first time. During an event on October 3 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, the 56-year-old Oscar-winning actor and rapper reflected emotionally on the birth of his eldest son, Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III, in November 1992. The occasion turned deeply personal as Smith discussed how Trey’s arrival changed his life and challenged his sense of responsibility.

Before performing his famous 1997 track "Just the Two of Us," Smith revealed to the audience that the song was written during a period of his life filled with overwhelming emotions and fear. He described the birth of his son as “probably one of the most terrifying times of my life.” This emotional confession caught the attention of the crowd, as Trey himself, now 31 years old, was in the audience, bearing witness to his father’s heartfelt reflection.

A Time of Fear and Reflection

Will Smith candidly discussed how unprepared he felt when he brought Trey home for the first time. Back then, he was just 24 years old and in the middle of filming the second season of his hit TV show, *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*. Smith admitted to the audience that the gravity of fatherhood hit him like a ton of bricks.

"I cannot tell you what it was like bringing that child home on that first night and realizing that he was my responsibility," Smith said, his voice shaking with emotion. As the actor wiped away his tears, he continued, "He's cool now, thank God. He's going to be 32 this year." He also mentioned his other children, Jaden (26) and Willow (23), whom he shares with his current wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Recalling that first night with Trey, Smith admitted that parenting was "one of the first real things in my life that really shook me to my core." The vulnerability in his voice resonated with the audience as he continued to recount the emotions that flooded him in those initial moments of fatherhood.

 Will Smith and son Trey Smith attend the 1997 "Men in Black" Hollywood premiere

A Promise Born Out of Fear and Love

Smith’s reflection on his father’s shortcomings further intensified the emotions surrounding his experience of becoming a parent. The actor had previously been vocal about his strained relationship with his own father, often criticizing him for the things he didn’t do as a parent. When it became his turn to take on the responsibility of fatherhood, Smith felt the pressure to do better.

"I remember that first night," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I can't even talk about it. Because I had talked so crazy about my father and all the stuff my father didn’t do. And then I was like, 'Oh no, it is my turn now.' And I just fell down on my knees and made one of the most hardcore promises ever made to a human being: that I was going to do everything I could to be a good daddy to you."

The intensity of this moment was palpable as Smith wiped away tears with a towel. He revealed that it was that very night he wrote the song “Just the Two of Us,” a personal and tender expression of the bond between a father and his son. After sharing these insights, Smith performed the song for the audience, further deepening the emotional atmosphere of the evening.

Before his heartfelt performance of "Just the Two of Us," Smith recalled the day Trey was born with a touch of humor. He described his excitement over buying a new picture-in-picture television, which came with an extensive, 1,000-page manual. In contrast, he humorously pointed out how little guidance he had received as a first-time parent.

"His mother's water broke, Sheree’s water broke, and I had just opened my TV. I was trying to set my TV up, and there was a thousand-page manual for my television. It was that thick and it was multiple languages, and I needed a thousand pages of information to get this TV set up." The comparison highlighted the lack of support or instruction when it came to bringing a newborn home. "I remember I brought him home and put him in the bassinet," Smith said, his voice filled with wonder and disbelief. "Cedars-Sinai sent me home with a baby and not even a pamphlet."

This moment, though humorous, underscored the daunting reality of becoming a parent. Smith, known for his confident and carefree persona on screen, admitted to feeling completely overwhelmed in the face of fatherhood.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith both shared sweet birthday posts dedicated to their son Jaden Smith, who just turned 25

Reflecting on Trey's Birth in the Years Since

Smith has reflected on his connection to "Just the Two of Us" and its ties to Trey on multiple occasions, including in a touching Instagram tribute for Trey's 31st birthday in November 2023. In a video clip, seemingly part of the audiobook for his 2021 memoir, *Will*, Smith shared personal thoughts about the day Trey was born.

As he recited the lyrics of the song, Smith revealed that they represented the "public depiction of Trey’s birth and my introduction to fatherhood." He candidly admitted that he had been “overwhelmed with the immensity” of the responsibility ahead and prayed to God, asking for guidance to help him be "a good daddy."

In addition to revisiting the powerful moments surrounding Trey's birth, Smith treated the audience to a mix of nostalgic hits and fresh tracks. The evening featured performances of fan favorites such as "Summertime," "Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It," "Miami," and, of course, the iconic theme song from *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*. The energy in the room was electrified, especially with Smith’s 87-year-old mother, Caroline Bright, also in attendance. While the event showcased Will Smith’s musical talents, it was clear that the night belonged to a deeper emotional journey. His reflections on fatherhood and the promises he made to Trey reminded everyone in attendance that, despite the fame and success, Smith is a father first—a father who once felt terrified but embraced the responsibility with love and dedication.

The raw emotion and honesty Smith brought to the evening served as a powerful reminder that even larger-than-life celebrities face the same challenges, fears, and triumphs as everyone else, especially when it comes to parenting.