Will Smith Talks About Losing Career 'In One Second' In Pre-Oscars Interview

KEY POINTS

Will Smith said that the material world is incapable of sustaining one's happiness
He added that one can't protect their family because security is an illusion
Smith's appearance on "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" was filmed before the 2022 Academy Awards

Will Smith spoke about security and how it would be impossible for one to protect their family ahead of the infamous Oscars slapping incident.

The "Mission Impossible" star appeared on Netflix's "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman" Season 4, which premiered Friday. It was filmed ahead of the Oscars controversy in which he smacked Chris Rock onstage for joking about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head.

"I wasn't miserable as much as everything kind of lost its luster," the Oscar winner explained, Us Weekly reported. "I think it's the natural journey of humanity when we realize that the material world is completely, utterly and totally incapable of sustaining our happiness."

Host David Letterman clarified if Smith meant that nothing could give him satisfaction "beyond the essentials of protecting yourself and your family," and the award-winning star replied, "You can't protect your family, right? That's not real."

In the same interview, he mentioned that all his achievements or success could instantly disappear because there is no such thing as security.

"Protection and safety is an illusion," Smith continued. "You have to learn to live with the reality that [at] any moment, anything can be gone in one second. So, with that reality, how can you be here? And how can you be joyful and be here?"

The program included a disclaimer at the beginning of the episode informing the audience that it was filmed before the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony in March. The actor won his first Oscar at the event for portraying Richard Williams in the "King Richards" biopic. In his acceptance speech, he spoke about Williams being a "fierce defender of his family."

"In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world," Williams said. "Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the ... strongest, most delicate people I've ever met. I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses that play Venus and Serena [Williams]. I'm being called on in my life to love people. And to protect people and to be a river to my people."

"My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman" Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.