Memorable Moment with Will Smith on 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Set
Experience shared by Elizabeth Harnois about joining 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and bonding with Will Smith through his music in his dressing room
Will Smith, Elizabeth Harnois Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
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Will Smith was aware of the music that would energize the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast for their live performances… his own.
Elizabeth Harnois shared her experience as a guest star on The Fresh Prince in 1993 during the episode of the “Pod Meets World” podcast on Monday, March 4. She mentioned that Smith, who was 55 at the time, was a kind person. However, she was taken aback by a specific pre-show tradition.
During my time on Fresh Prince and working with Will Smith, one of my most vivid memories was how he knew he was on his way to stardom. Before each show, he would gather everyone in his dressing room. He would pump up the energy by playing his music loudly and getting everyone to jump up and down together. It was like sardines in there, but that's how we all got hyped up.
When the hosts of "Pod Meets World" asked about it, I confirmed that yes, Will Smith would play his own songs in the room. It was all part of his routine to get everyone in the right mindset for the show.
Friedle thought it was clever, and Strong joked that he might just have to start the tradition himself.
The Fresh Prince aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996 and featured Smith in the lead role as a teenager sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle in Bel-Air. Harnois guest-starred in a season 3 episode as Steffi, a neighbor who wanted to use the family's pool.
Harnois revealed that the unexpected backstage moment with Smith was not a unique experience for her. She shared that when she was dating Matthew Lawrence as a teenager, his older brother, Joey Lawrence, would also play his own music while driving around in the car.
One particular instance that stood out to Harnois was when they were all in a giant Escalade and Joey Lawrence was blasting his own music in the car. She remembered sitting in the back seat with her friend, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the situation since they had only been on a couple of dates.
Harnois mentioned that she has friends who are musicians and understands that the car can be a great place to listen to music while working on the final touches of a song. However, her encounter with the Lawrence brothers did not meet her expectations.
Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Harnois clarified that she holds no negative feelings towards either experience. She found the encounter to be amusing, describing it as a display of self-love and self-hype that she had never witnessed before.
Harnois started her acting career at the young age of 5, appearing in films like Adventures in Wonderland and One Magic Christmas before landing a role on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In 1996, she guest-starred as Missy Robinson on Boy Meets World in the season 3 episode, “The Last Temptation of Cory.”
Before joining the cast of the ABC sitcom, Harnois admitted feeling nervous and intimidated. She was worried about fitting in with the cool cliques on set. However, her fears quickly dissipated as she found the cast to be welcoming and kind. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “Kids can sometimes be mean and bratty, but you guys were nothing like that. You guys were great.”
Harnois reunited with Friedle in 2005 for the Disney movie My Date With the President’s Daughter. The following year, she was cast on One Tree Hill as Shelly, a “Clean Teen” promoting abstinence and the love interest of Lee Norris. She has made guest appearances on shows like Cold Case, Dirt, Without a Trace, and 90210. She then landed a co-starring role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for four seasons from 2011 to 2015.
On the other hand, Smith received a Golden Globe nomination for his work on Fresh Prince. He gained fame with major movie blockbusters such as Independence Day, Men in Black, Enemy of the State, and I am Legend. In 2001, he was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his film Ali, and again in 2006 for The Pursuit of Happyness. Musically, Smith released five studio albums with DJ “Jazzy” Jeff before pursuing a solo career. He earned a total of four Grammy nominations for his rap performances.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an intriguing glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the beloved sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Elizabeth Harnois's recollections of Will Smith's pre-show ritual, playing his own music to energize the cast, reveal a charismatic and confident young actor on the cusp of stardom. This anecdote not only serves as a testament to Smith's artistry but also highlights the importance of self-belief and creating a positive atmosphere for collaboration.
Harnois's experience with the Lawrence brothers further illustrates the self-assured nature of actors in this era. While some may find it amusing or even awkward, it reflects a sense of self-love and a willingness to embrace their artistic expression. It also prompts us to consider the fine line between self-promotion and egotism, and how it can sometimes be difficult to decipher in the entertainment industry.
