Academy Award-winning actor Will Smith recently shared his views on Serena and Venus Williams’ father and the myths surrounding his name. Smith portrayed the role of Richard Williams in his Oscar-winning 2021 movie King Richards. The popular actor recently shared his experience of getting to know the personality of Richard Williams from Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams.

Will Smith recently appeared on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, co-hosted by former basketball stars Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. The four-time Grammy award-winning actor talked about his journey as a multi-talented artist. He detailed his experiences working in different roles and the challenges that he faced on the way.

Will Smith revealed that some part of Mohammed Ali’s character was still inside him after portraying the legendary boxer in the biographical sports drama Ali. Moreover, he shed some light on the importance of his role in his Oscar-winning movie King Richards.

Will Smith talks about Richard Williams

Will Smith revealed that he understood the reality of the character of Richard Williams after talking to his daughters. The popular actor revealed that Mr. Williams had been villainized over the years for being tough on his daughters. However, Smith suggested that Richard Williams never pushed his daughters to extremes.

During the interview, Smith stated, “I remember the first time talking with Venus and Serena and it was like so much love. They loved that man. It didn’t fit the image of what I have, you know, of the overbearing father that demands his kids…And he didn’t do that.”

Smith disclosed that Richard Williams never did the things that he had been vilified for. The 54-year-old said that Mr. Williams was not the extremely demanding father that the narrative had suggested over the years.

On the contrary, Richard Williams instilled a deep passion for tennis in his daughters. He inspired Serena Williams and Venus Williams to be dedicate their lives to their favorite sport, Smith said.

Smith reveals Richard Williams’ Jedi mind trick

Will Smith also revealed a trick that Richard Williams used to inspire his daughters. According to Smith, Venus told him that her father did some kind of Jedi trick in somehow convincing them that they wanted to play tennis.

The Pursuit of Happyness star shared that the Williams sisters had to beg their father to play tennis. When they made a mistake, their punishment was not being allowed to play tennis. Will Smith stated, “Somehow he inspired them to play not demanded that they play.”

Thus, Will Smith argued that Richard Williams was not the man that the media had portrayed. He was a loving man who inspired his children to become legendary icons.