Will Smith Reveals He Had Suicidal Thoughts In YouTube Series ‘Best Shape of My Life’

Will Smith has revealed that he once contemplated suicide. Smith had just begun a physical health journey and documented it for the YouTube Original docuseries Best Shape of My Life. 

During a trailer for the series, Smith revealed his past suicidal thoughts. The actor started by saying he began the show in an attempt to get into shape. However, the “Parent’s Just Don’t Understand” rapper soon realized he needed to get into mental shape as well. Smith added that he considered ending his life during that time.

“When I started this show, I thought I was getting into the best shape of my life physically, but mentally I was somewhere else. I ended up discovering a whole lot of hidden things about myself. That was the only time in my life that I ever considered suicide.”

The actor attempts to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks for the series.

Smith, 53, is incredibly candid and vulnerable in the series and said that his public persona is a form of protection.

“Now I’m about to show the world, how little I know about myself. … What you’ve come to understand as Will Smith, the alien annihilating MC, bigger than life movie star, is largely a construction, a carefully crafted and honed character designed to protect myself, to hide myself from the world, to hide the coward.”

Smith also has a new book being released called “Will.” He gives a candid look at his life growing up in Philadelphia, his relationship with his father and his journey to fame. “I bled all over this thang y’all,” he joked. The memoir will be released on Nov. 9. The author will also be on a book signing tour in November.

The busy actor has a new movie in theaters as well, King Richard. Smith plays the real-life father of Serena and Venus Williams in the film about their father and his drive to make them tennis champions.

The Best Shape of My Life docuseries premieres on Nov. 8.