Will Smith explains childhood trauma, unconventional marriage in new memoir l GMA 

The laughter doesn’t fool anyone. You can see the pain in his eyes.

"I'd suffered enough to have something to say." AMEN! That's what life is!🙏✨

What was a 9 year old supposed to do to a GROWN ASS MAN beating his wife?! That's not cowardice that's just being helpless, the real coward was his FATHER at the time.

So sad 😞 we have to be very careful raising our kids they can be traumatized for life

Yeah childhood trauma can mess you up we totally agree with that.

Will has long earned my respect. I ain’t here to judge anybody. But folks who live their lives truthfully, are golden. ✨

Damn, Will! He's speaking nothing, but the unadulterated truth of people & life. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we all do what Will explains, be you from a great healthy background or an unstable, unhealthy, traumatic one like most people are. I bet he's gotta feel a real relief being completely honest, not with us, but with himself.

I don't dream about the kind of love he and JADA have. That's THEIR life

I met him in the late 80's at an empty airport when he was the rapper The Fresh Prince. He couldn't have been any nicer. He and Jazzy, Jam Master J and the rest of the posse signed autographs and posed in multiple pictures. Never seemed impatient.

Wow! I can relate to Will Smith …Watching my father beat up my mother as a kid and I didn’t do anything about it because I was scared. I remember when father threw a knife at my mother and thank god it missed her but it almost hit one my sisters . That was the moment my mother told my father to get the fuck out and never come back.That was the best day of our lives for all of us.I was so proud of my mother for finally getting rid of my father. After yrs passed by, I don’t know how my mother for gave my father for everything he did to her. This is one of the reasons why I lost respect for my father and I don’t talk to him as much.

“somehow my mind twisted it that it was my fault my parents didn’t stay together” And now I’m crying because same Will, same

Lately, like within the past two years, it looks like Will Smith is strained or stressed-🤔 its the look in his eyes! His eyes seem not as bright as they used to look.

Shoutout to Will Smith for dropping his book around the release date of this new film. Easy way to promote!

That quivering chin 😭🥰 bless you Will… no coward in being so vulnerable and you’ll guide many to do the same🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗

I love how the first page of his book makes you keep reading... it doesn't start off slow; he got straight to it to where you want to keep reading it every break you get even if it's 5 minutes from your kids. You're gonna pull that book out

His interview at “Red Table” was hard to watch as his wife utilizes his trauma and insecurity to have affair with other men and showcases as “Dream love” it for everyone to see. I felt the pain on Will’s face during the interview. Body language doesn’t lie. He’s a good hearted man and deserves better from his wife. 😔

Little girls love their fathers ESPECIALLY when he believes in them and is kind to them. No bigger cheerleader than this.

It's good you bring that out. This happens to many young boys and it actually emasculates them. I hope many get to hear your story and see who God really made them to be.

Thank you Will for your transparency. I’m in therapy due to my childhood. So much abuse! It leaves very deep scars! It isn’t easy to get over. But I’m trying.

I can totally relate. I listened to my father hit my mother when I was 8. And I wanted to do something, but I was 8 and was afraid he’d beat me up too. So I couldn’t do anything and that does stay with you forever. So I have always be a protecter of women as an adult

Excited about King Richard. Will Smith sure to give another fantastic performance. 🔥🔥

He literally looks like the Genie now 🧞‍♂️

Very true... Children, when they are exposed to abuse, it definitely affects them!

“I always knew I wouldn’t be physically violent” 👀

"I always knew I'd never be physically violent"

His laugh is contagious.😀

Will, you deserve much more than that woman.

This man is a angel sent from God, a Hollywood star calling out his own BS...thats not a coward that's a man

Wow!!!!!! He looks 20 yrs. younger. Getting is shape physically and mentally can really do the body good. I’m now going through my journey and sometimes it’s a real struggle but inspirations like this helps.

Will strikes as being a great dude ; a truly decent human being. EDIT: As of last week, I no longer believe the above.

Reminiscent of Jim Carey saying “Jim Carey”, was a fictional CHARACTER….

we need more will smiths in this world!!! fortunately! i have a will smith in my life, who happens to be a women! but you get what im saying! kind, sweet to the core, genuine, and speaks her mind like its no tomorrow!!!

I love how Will shows a deeply rooted sence of responsibility towards his own life. He is aware and present, aware of openly transforming into complition. I call this Supernatural! This happens when you know how much we as Humans can trust God. Trust in the Light, the Dream, the Passion that is planted within each and every one of us, to be fullfilled. Children have no fear be Blessed in Jezus name Amen.

It seems like every part of a celebrity’s life is an absolute miserable disaster in most cases, all they have is material things and love from their fans who don’t even know who they are to give them a false sense of happiness from time to time. And let’s not even get started on how psychologically and sociologically damaging a non-monogamous relationship is…

We don’t want to be in a relationship with someone who has entanglements 🥺

Good job coming forward about childhood trauma. Such an important issue! Can't wait for the read! 🥰

I usual can't stand when people idolize comedians or athletes (not what I am doing here) but this dude man! Will Smith is a jewel of a man ❤️❤️

That's real honesty thank you so much thats from the heart

People who grow up with narcissistic parents are highly likely to accept disrespectful/abusive treatment from others.

I need this book in my life…Barnes & Noble expect me tomorrow when you open!😂

“I would never be physically violent” Yeah sure

I can still see pain in his eyes when it comes to him and Jada! I pray they figure that out! Behind every laugh/joke is a tragedy. Stay blessed world!

I so respect Will!!

Great conversation. The book sounds very interesting and valuable. Thank you for the video.

NZVER physically violent... well today we saw it

Thanks for being an example of a good man and father and husband always a fan

He is courageous for writing the book. I just started it Friday, only about a quarter of the way through. Do far a great book. He calls himself a coward in the book, again I am just not seeing that. Brave man, and generous, for writing the book.

Excellent intro and interview, TJ!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

What a wonderful program and awesome hosts! Seeing my people on center stage showing their intelligence & heart… I love it!! 🥰

This is how you heal so good for him!!

He still traumatized..

Infinite Love and Gratitude ♥️

This was a great interview. Love Will Smith and T J Holmes. 😃

All of us are traumatized one way or another, some experienge more pain then others, some of us have mentors in our lives as we grow up that we trust enough to be completely open with emotionally, some have narcissistical parents who emotionally abuses them through gaslighting, but we suppress it and instead externally project it to desperately flee the pain... We all have flaws and insecurities bottled up inside, and instead of admitting that shame, we project it onto others. For instance, my father is a narcissist and trying to have a double sided conversation with is impossible. He constantly interrupts me as soon as he finds a tiny gap, even before I've finished my point. He takes everything I say as personal attack, even though sometimes I'm speaking in general terms...he puts words in your mouth and takes a part of what you've said and takes it out of context in an attempt to validate and strengthen his own argument so that it fits his subjevtive narrative where he is right and the other person is wrong. Instead of acknowledging this, he instead complains that I'm a bad listener and that I always over react when in reality, this is what he is actually doing...It's a psychological defense mechanism with the intent to protect you from pain. The sad thing is that abusive people are heavily traumatized and does this subconsciously...hence a mental disorder. Usually happens when a child in the beginning stages of life and experiences trauma whilst the brain is not yet fully developed. What's unfortunate is that we don't learn about this in school...people have barely heard the word "projection" in a psychological context before...The world would be a better and much more loving and understanding place if all of us took responsability for our own traumas and the pain that comes with it, instead of automatically project it onto others. That would obviously require Awareness...imagine all the chaos, conflict and war? All because of not admitting their own flaws and fears and instead express it through mirroring what they don't want to see in themselves, onto others... I also used/use humour as a way of fleeing the pain. It doesn't necessarily have to be a negative function...it is actually a practical way of getting to know your own dark past memories that you haven't really taken the time to dealt with, but if we're not aware of this function, we won't learn from it and eventually grow and improve as a person...but how can we blame ourselves for that? We were never tought this by our parents, in school, in our workplace...Awareness is key! Instead of identifying and believing your mind's judgements, take a step back and observe these thoughts and emotions being present in the moment. Instead of believing it, start questioning yourself why you aggressively reacted the way you did. If you feel annoyed or angry with someone or something...ask yourself...how can this be related to me in some way? Self-enquiry is essential to become self-aware and finally start to understand your own projections and the trauma behind them and ultimately start taking responsability for your own life instead of blaming and judging others for their flaws. What you see in the external world IS a reflection and manifestation of your own distorted memories and self-images. With awareness, your projections teaches you who you are, or rather yet how you falsely percieve yourself and without awareness, we keep re-living our traumas over and over again, not realizing how destructive and irresponsible we are...

I have always admired him.... He is so talented & genuinely seems to be so kindhearted & just genuinely kind who ever he comes in contact with..... He's not at all superficial like so many big Hollywood star's..... I can't wait to read his new book.... Congrats to him! He has a beautiful wife & family as well.... 💜

Poor guy. Can tell he’s a great dad. Hopefully he ends up with a solid woman after he gets his fill of pain from this one.

Lovely Interviewer! Most Lovely Celeb! Lovely GMA Team!

What I don't get it is, why is he sharing all this info with us? Like what does he get out of it? How's publishing a book about himself going to help him with his internal healing? That's sacred stuff, keep that stuff close to your heart.

Will still has much to learn. I'm afraid he's set himself (in his marriage to Jada) to fail. As far a King Richard, I'm afraid the Williams sisters have not been totally open about their early life with their father. I don't think he was quite the hero as portrayed in the movie. They can win at tennis but that doesn't mean they were not traumatized by their journey.

"I would never be physically violent". That didn't age well

Definitely gonna buy the book.

Will needs to divorce jada asap. She stole 25 years of his life he surely can't let her steal the winter of his life from him. 😐

I love you Will! Continue being true to yourself.

Love Will and his transparency here ❤️

He is the top 1 percent of men in EVERY CATEGORY. Jada destroyed this man. if u treat ur woman like a star she will treat u like a fan. That saying is so true in their case. He is so far deluded to her own adultery he needs an intervention. This ain’t love anymore. #savewill

The feeling like a coward part hits way too close to home.

Man that ain’t a marriage, that’s you sponsoring your baby momma😂

No one is pursing this type of love Will but you.

So true what he said about becoming a different person to prevent yourself from going through something again. I did this and it did not prevent anything.

I can't wait to read this book, I ❤ Will Smith. I can relate to using humor to hide pain.

Love him so much. 🤎

For what he is promoting, he doesn't seem to be in a good place. He looks broken & sad ........ prayers to him

Loving more authentic Will…….we all put, what we think is the best version of ourselves out there. Being real must be so much more difficult when you are watched so closely!

Growing up, him, Martin Lawrence, and Chris Tucker were the black men I wanted to emulate, but overtime Will's personality wore thin for me 😂Anybody who can read people always knew that Will's laugh and super affable nature felt constructed and extra at times. So i'm not surprised he's admitting his whole public persona was an act. Still i'm sure his pain is very real.

I think Will Smith is going through awakening and it’s always a good path! And their choice about an open marriage is their business and no one else’s. At least they are honest. All the best to him

TJ is FINE!

Love you Will .. I Love GMA

3.33 of this interview Will says " I always knew I would never become physically violent" after seeing what his mother went through.......BUT HE JUST WAS PHYSICALLY VIOLENT to Chris Rock and it is still NOT okay simply because he hit another man.

Why he looking like the genie 🤦🏽‍♀️😂

I dont believe he's happy, this is not a good marriage, why not be single and pursue anyone you like. I believe everyone wants their own person especially when we get old, there's nothing like loyalty, love, trust and happiness between 2 people. I hope he finds it

This interview is So deep

WOW!!!

💐amazing

Everybody’s born out of fear and trauma… that’s actually the GOOD thing.👌🏽

Dam!!! I know exactly that feeling - I'am just a figment of what Childhood trauma and fear has created.

Wow these comments are mean-spirited. Smith obviously feels remorse over this. Take a good look at your traumas and behaviors you aren't proud of before judging a man you don't know.

WILLpower!!✊🏾❤️‍🔥

Im waiting for the second book. and i really have no idea if he will open his eyes, most likely no tbh! but i hope he does, cuz his story is just crazy!!

This interview slaps

He needs to do the AUDIO! Where can I find the audio version?!?

And this is how I choose to remember him a great legend one who tried to live a good and normal life from a difficult childhood that had very much impacted his life such yet he managed to take responsibility and stability in his life to getting married and making himself great in creating a life that many people only dream a mistake does not take away all his merits as an actor because he has achieved quiet a lot too in his public image and the reaction which I saw at the Oscars proved was him reading that his wife needed him for or to do something and her looking at him seemed a good reason and so he acted and it seemed him feeling like he had an opportunity to finally vent out his rage and since he could not defend his mother he took it all out in order to defend his wife and all that he said was out of hand but this was the idea so a happy tribute to him

He’s been through some shit, so what, we all have. I was almost killed in Iraq. Our past traumas doesn’t excuse violence.

Best shape of my life is absolutely breathtaking

I miss the days when people kept their business "in house". Love Eddie Murphy, Leonardo DiCaprio, and George Clooney because, despite their fame, they know how to sit tf down.

Watching this in March 2022... , slapping Chris Rocks at the Oscars makes sense.

Nice interview! ✅

Geeze he is going through it.

GMA you have a typo in your title.

Looks like he's still upset about his wife

This didn’t age well