Latest news with #FreshPrinceOfBelAir
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Will Smith discovers surprising Welsh connections
Hollywood star and rapper Will Smith has dropped the mic for Wales after discovering some surprising Welsh connections. "I'm Welsh," declared the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor after finding out Bryn Mawr, a suburb of Philadelphia where his mum still has a home, was named by Welsh Quaker settlers in the late 17th established a community in the west of the city and many Welsh place names remain, including one where the Grammy-award winning artist was raised. "That might be my new name. Welsh Smith. I'm gonna be Welsh Smith," he told Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales. Smith also grew up in nearby Wynnefield - named after a Welsh physician, Dr Thomas Wynne. The star was stunned to learn of the connections. Bryn Mawr means big hill in Welsh, and he added: "Big Will lives in big hill. This is crazy." Smith performs at Cardiff Castle on 25 August, just a few days after Welsh legend Sir Tom called him "magnificent", remembering a cameo appearance from Sir Tom in his hit 90s sitcom the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In 1993 he appeared as a guardian angel to Carlton, a cousin and friend to Smith's character. Smith said Sir Tom had an "iconic energy" that everybody wishes they had."When he walked on to the set it was one of the most amazing things," he said. "Carlton's character loves Sir Tom. "When he walked out, you get that thing when the audience recognises what is happening, it was one of the classic moments on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. "It was beautiful."Smith hinted he would be paying tribute to Sir Tom during his Cardiff gig."Yeah, there's a part in my show where we celebrate his connection to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air." Smith has just released his first full-length album in 20 years, called Based on a True Story. He said the last few years for him had been about "introspection and growth", something reflected in his is three years since Smith hit the headlines after slapping comic Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. He later apologised. Writing the new album, he said, led to him "looking deeper at the reality of who and what I am"."I let myself talk from places and write from places and create from places within me that I've been scared of... places that have been repressed and I call the energies, the despicable prisoners," he said. "You know, those parts of myself that are not necessarily for Instagram. Those spaces that aren't necessarily for the BBC."Smith said he will be performing a mix of his new and old material in the UK. In the Welsh capital, with his newly-discovered connections to the country, fans might even hear the Fresh Prince speak a little of the language. Welsh Smith as he is calling himself, has been trying to learn a few phrases.
Vogue
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Sandy Liang Resort 2026 Collection
Like many other designers in New York City, Sandy Liang has been hit by the tariffs. But she isn't letting that dampen her spirits; her resort collection is as light-hearted and fun as ever. Nostalgia seems to work well for Liang, and she often references specific childhood memories in her collections. This season it was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—and one episode in particular, when Will dresses up as a sunflower alongside elementary schoolers as part of a graduation requirement. Not surprisingly, Liang's version is a lot cuter and a bit more practical than the TV one—Liang's balaclavas are easily removable and even have a hole in the back for a ponytail to stick out. They also make a perfect set when paired with some of her technical jumpsuits made of the same spandex fabrication. But with Liang's collections, while the most fun can be found at some of the more Instagrammable pieces, the real bestsellers come down to the basics. Classic polo shirts come oversized and with contrasting built-in sleeves so that you don't actually have to wear two layers to achieve the layered look, while what looks like a simple baby tee has a built-in bikini bra so you can go braless. Matching sets do well for the brand, and this season they got a cozier treatment. 'Resort and high summer is always a more realistic season,' said Liang. 'You don't have to do all the razzle dazzle of a runway show, but you can have fun with the details.' At market week the designer found that one of the most popular pieces amongst her team and buyers was an oversized sweater: Liang's version comes with an elasticized waistband that you can cinch up so it gives the illusion of a two-piece set, as well as providing a more flattering fit for those who may be petite like Liang. 'A lot of us wear our sweaters more cinched anyways, we want to tuck it in and feel flattered even without a belt,' explained the designer. And it always comes back to motherhood for Liang. The designer recently celebrated her son Rainer's first birthday, and the toddler is already making a mark on the downtown cool brand. Not only is a drawing of his face on the back of some of the T-shirts in the collection, but some pieces were influenced by the outfits he wears. A jersey cardigan skirt set is what Liang describes as just a 'blown-up version,' of what her son wears. Giving it that signature Liang touch, the set is adorned with a cute kitten print on a faded blue fabrication for a lived-in and hand–me-down touch.
