Hollywood icon Will Smith is considering a major identity shift after uncovering a surprising connection to Wales during a recent radio interview.
Will Smith’s Unexpected Welsh Connection
Will Smith, best known for blockbuster hits like Bad Boys and Men in Black, shocked fans when he hinted at possibly changing his name. The revelation came during an interview on BBC Radio Wales with presenter Lucy Owen on Saturday, July 12, where Smith was promoting his new album, Based on a True Story.
During their conversation, Owen shared an intriguing fact about Smith’s family roots in Pennsylvania. She explained that Bryn Mawr, the town where Smith’s mother, Caroline Bright, resides, takes its name from a Welsh phrase meaning “Big Hill.”
“So ‘Mawr’ is ‘big,’ and ‘Bryn’ means ‘hill.’ You live in Big Hill,” Owen told the actor.
Smith, clearly amused, responded with excitement:
“Big Hill! Big Will lives in Big Hill. This is crazy. Big Hill. Big Will. Big still.”
More Welsh Roots Than Expected
The connections didn’t stop there. Smith’s childhood hometown, Wynnefield, PA, also has Welsh origins. It was named after Dr. Thomas Wynne, a Welsh physician and one of Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers.
This led Smith to joke,
“So I’m Welsh! I’m Welsh, basically. That’s what we’re saying.”
Owen replied enthusiastically,
“Yes, Will! This is what I’m trying to say. You are Welsh, and we are claiming you.”
Meet “Welsh Smith”?
Inspired by this cultural discovery, the 55-year-old actor floated the idea of embracing his Welsh roots with a new name:
“That might be my new name: Welsh Smith. I’m gonna be Welsh Smith.”
While the idea of a “Welsh Smith” starring in Bad Boys might sound unusual, it certainly sparked curiosity and amusement among fans. No word yet on whether a Welsh accent is part of the rebranding!
A New Album and Global Tour
While fans speculate on his name change, Will Smith remains focused on his music. His latest project, Based on a True Story, is his first studio album since 2005’s Lost and Found.
Speaking with Associated Press, Smith shared his inspiration behind the record:
“It really is the result of my initial self-examination. Every song is about some part of myself that I discovered or wanted to explore. It’s the most full musical offering that I’ve ever created.”
Smith kicked off his tour on June 25 in Morocco. He’s scheduled to perform in Wales next month before wrapping up the tour in Paris.
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