Will Smith’s Comeback At The 2025 Grammys

Will Smith is making every effort to not let anything stop him, despite being criticized for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars a few years ago.

Two popular follow-ups to his Bad Boys series have been released, and with an album set for release in March, he has fully returned to hip-hop.

Will, being the first rapper to win a Grammy, is now returning to the award event to present awards for the second time in a high-profile manner.

The Recording Academy’s most recent list of presenters, which was announced on January 31 and was led by Taylor Swift, included the rapper’s name.

He is set to be presenting awards alongside other superstars like Cardi B, Gloria Estefan, Olivia Rodrigo, and SZA.

He will also offer a tribute to Quincy Jones, the well-known music producer who passed away in November 2024.

Jones was an executive producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the sitcom from the 1990s that made Smith a household name as an actor and rapper, so Will’s selection makes sense.

The star of “King Richard,” Will Smith, has appeared at other award presentations since he stormed the Oscar stage in March 2022 and slapped host Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Smith, 56, attended the 2023 African American Film Critics Association Awards and performed at the 2024 BET Awards in June.

He dropped out of the 2023 Grammys hip-hop homage, though later that year, he did play in the live performance of A Grammy Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop.

Fans’ Reactions To This Comeback

Will Smith, being one of the most well-known people in the world, was never going to make a mediocre comeback.

He was banned from going to the Oscars until 2032, and the performer apologized to all parties concerned and stated that he agreed to the terms of the ban.

“My actions at the Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable,” Smith wrote.

“The list of those I have hurt is long. And includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.” He added.

Nevertheless, some fans are upset that Smith was brought onstage so soon after he smacked Chris Rock.

“For them to allow him on any show is sick,” one Instagram user wrote. Another took the Grammy Awards to task for putting their winners at risk. “I hope he doesn’t slap anybody else,” they asserted.