Synopsis
Will Smith made a notable return to televised awards shows at the 2023 Grammys, where he honored the late Quincy Jones. This was his first appearance since the infamous slap incident at the 2022 Oscars, marking a significant moment in his career.Key Takeaways
- Will Smith returned to awards shows at the 2023 Grammys.
- He paid tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones.
- This was his first major appearance since the slap incident at the Oscars.
- Smith introduced performances from artists like Cynthia Erivo and Stevie Wonder.
- He has a total of eight Grammy nominations and four wins.
Los Angeles, Feb 3 (NationPress) Hollywood icon Will Smith made his much-anticipated comeback to a televised awards ceremony at the 2023 Grammys, where he kicked off a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones. This appearance marks his return following the controversial slap incident that occurred during the 94th Academy Awards in 2022.
Smith commenced the tribute by introducing Herbie Hancock on piano and later welcomed the talented Cynthia Erivo, who delivered a stunning rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon,” as reported by variety.com.
“This past year, we lost one of the most groundbreaking and influential figures of our times: Quincy Jones. Known to friends around the world simply as Q,” Smith expressed in his tribute, honoring the 28-time Grammy winner.
“In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I must say, he changed mine forever. You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones. Quincy elevated so many music legends across various genres, bringing out the best in them.”
The tribute to Jones also featured Lainey Wilson, who performed “Let the Good Times Roll,” and Stevie Wonder, who joined Hancock for “Bluesette” and “We Are the World.” Janelle Monae concluded the segment with a dazzling cover of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” while dressed in a sparkling tuxedo.
Quincy Jones, who passed away in November, was the executive producer of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the sitcom that launched Smith’s career.
This tribute signifies the first occasion that Smith has appeared and presented at a significant televised awards event since he slapped Chris Rock during the Oscars in 2022.
Following the incident, Smith went on to win the best actor Oscar and delivered an emotional acceptance speech. Shortly after, the Academy announced a 10-year ban on Smith from its ceremonies.
When it comes to the Grammys, Smith is quite familiar with the stage, having received a total of eight Grammy nominations and four wins throughout his career.
Although he was not nominated this year, Smith has previously won Grammys in categories such as short form music video (“Will 2K”), best rap solo performance (“Getting’ Jiggy Wit It,” “Men in Black”), and best rap performance by a duo or group (“Summertime” with DJ Jazzy Jeff).
