Will Smith is making waves, literally. The Oscar winner proudly marked a major milestone this week, announcing that Luanda, Angola, will officially join the E1 World Electric Boat Championship. The move signals a big step forward for the sport, while also highlighting Will Smith’s growing involvement in the all-electric racing world.
Will Smith Welcomed At Presidential Palace In Luanda
Smith traveled to Luanda, where he was welcomed at the presidential palace and met with Angola’s President Joao Lourenco. The two were seen shaking hands and engaging in conversation as cameras captured the high-profile moment.
Joined by E1 Series President Alejandro Agag, Smith appeared energized as he helped usher in what many see as a significant expansion for the sport in a region already known for competitive sailing.
Tom Brady And Rafael Nadal Join Growing Racing Movement
Smith isn’t alone in backing the future of electric marine racing. Other big names, including Tom Brady and Rafael Nadal, have also invested in teams within the E1 league, helping bring star power to the rapidly growing sport.
Smith himself launched his own team, Team Westbrook, two years ago, and has been actively supporting its rise on the international stage.
Will Smith Pushes Sustainability Through Electric Racing
For Smith, this isn’t just about competition, but it’s about impact. The actor has long advocated for more sustainable practices, particularly when it comes to ocean health. He believes shifting away from traditional combustion engines to electric-powered boats is a critical step forward.
That passion has fueled his commitment to the sport, including celebrating Team Westbrook’s first major victory in Lake Como in 2024.
Smith Addresses Oscars Fallout While Moving Forward
As Smith continues to embrace new ventures, he’s also not shying away from addressing the moment that reshaped his public image. Following the 2022 Oscars incident involving Chris Rock, the actor has largely shifted his focus toward new projects and passions, including his work in electric racing. At the same time, he has used his creative outlets to confront the controversy head-on.
On his album “Based on a True Story,” Smith directly addressed the fallout, opening the track “Int. Barbershop — Day” with the line: “Will Smith is canceled.” The song features a mix of voices reflecting public reactions to the moment, including one asking, “Who the f-ck Will Smith think he is?” while another adds, “I ain’t never going to forgive him for that sh-t he did.”
The track also references the aftermath of the incident with the lyric: “I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back/ And you know they only made him do that sh-t because he’s Black.”
While Smith did not return his Oscar, the Academy banned him from attending its events for 10 years. He also resigned his membership and later issued an apology, saying he was “deeply remorseful” for his actions.
Despite the controversy, Smith has continued to move forward, and recently received recognition from Michael B. Jordan during the Oscars. “I stand here because of the people that came before me: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith,” Jordan said.
Will Smith Opens Up About ‘Horrific Night’ In Rare Interview
Before tackling the Oscars controversy in his music, Smith first opened up about the moment in a rare, candid interview. Speaking with Trevor Noah, the actor reflected on the incident and the emotions behind it.
“That was a horrific night, as you can imagine,” Smith said. “There’s many nuances and complexities to it, but at the end of the day, I just, I lost it. I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through.”
Smith went on to emphasize how personal struggles aren’t always visible, using the audience as an example of how people may be silently dealing with difficult situations.
“I was going through something that night. And not that that justifies my behavior at all,” he said. “You’re asking what did I learn and it’s that we just got to be nice to each other, man. It’s hard. And I guess the thing that was most painful for me is that I took my hard and made it hard for other people.”
