Will Smith has publicly expressed regret over his long-standing feud with his former The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Janet Hubert. The actor opened up about their strained relationship during an appearance on VICE’s Black Comedy in America and acknowledged his past mistakes.

Smith reflected on how he handled the situation with Hubert, who portrayed Aunt Vivian during the first three seasons of the iconic sitcom before being replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. “I made a horrible error and misjudgment of her value and power and beauty to the show. I horribly underestimated what she was for me at that point in my life,” Smith admitted, according to PEOPLE.

REUNION IN 2020

During their reconciliation in 2020, Hubert confronted Smith about the impact of their fallout. “I lost everything—reputation, everything,” she said. “I understand you were able to move forward, but you know those words—calling a Black woman difficult in Hollywood is the kiss of death. And it’s hard enough being a dark-skinned Black woman in this business.”

Smith responded with gratitude and remorse. “First of all, thank you for sharing that with me. I didn’t know that. When I look back now, it’s obvious that you were having a hard time and I felt like you hated me. I could not do a 30-year celebration of this show and not celebrate you, celebrate your contribution to the show, celebrate your contribution to my life,” he said.

RECONCILIATION ON REUNION SHOW

The two mended their relationship during the Fresh Prince reunion special, marking the first time they had spoken in 27 years. Smith further reflected on his behavior, stating, “The person I want to be is someone who protects you, not someone that unleashes dogs on you.”

The feud between Smith and Hubert had played out in the media for years, with both parties exchanging harsh words. In one interview, Smith claimed that Hubert wanted the show to center around her. “I can say straight up that Janet Hubert wanted the show to be The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Show. She’s mad now but she’s been mad all along,” he said during a conversation with an Atlanta radio station.

Hubert, meanwhile, famously told TMZ in 2011, “There will never be a reunion … as I will never do anything with an asshole like Will Smith. He is still an egomaniac and has not grown up. This constant reunion thing will never ever happen in my lifetime unless there is an apology, which he doesn’t know the word.”

Their eventual reconciliation stands as a significant moment of healing, both personally and professionally, as the two put decades of animosity behind them to acknowledge their shared contributions to a beloved piece of television history