Before social media, celebrities of any profession had more privacy. Some revelled in it, and others were on a constant mission to stay relevant. Actors in particular have had it as bad as it can be sometimes, often not even able to just take a walk with their family without having a camera shoved in their face. Is it possible that some celebrities make this harder than it needs to be though? Well recently, a number of celebrities have begun to try to change the narrative on what the public sees (or doesn’t see) by showcasing their humanity through YouTube. Will Smith joins these ranks with his new series Best Shape of My Life.
Best Shape of My Life, according to Smith, was initially supposed to be a project where he showed his weight loss journey to the world. If this is true, then it became much more than that. The YouTube original pulls back the curtain on an actor who at one point of his career was the biggest movie star on the planet. As far as exposure goes, Will Smith has done a decent job of not making too many headlines when not necessary. Now though, he’s voluntarily choosing to show the world who he is as a human being, not as a star. In preparation for his memoir release, Smith gets deep into his early beginnings as an actor/musician. He shares the highs, the lows, the triumphs and the missteps that have shaped who he’s become as both a family man and as a celebrity.
That’s not to say that viewers miss out on his weight loss journey. In addition to his personal exploration, audiences will get to see Will Smith’s exercise routine, his team meetings, hear from his trainers and nutritionists, and witness the physical transformation he makes over the course of twenty weeks. Expect workout montages, vulnerable moments, emotionally charged conversations, classic Will Smith humor, and even beautiful scenic shots of Dubai (where he eventually ends up to train). This personal glimpse into Will Smith’s world is unlike any side he’s ever shown of himself. The man behind the persona is revealed to the world in a format that’s raw, at times invasive, and thanks to the production team’s editing, creative. The man everyone thinks they know is only part of the story, and Will Smith finally takes control of the narrative of his life.
Best Shape of My Life, according to Smith, was initially supposed to be a project where he showed his weight loss journey to the world.
Best Shape of My Life has less to do with getting into top physical condition, and more to do with getting in the best shape mentally. What it shows is that yes, the two can go hand in hand, but that one should not necessarily come without the other. This series shows the fans a broken man; a human being, who just happens to work as an actor for a living. As hard as it may be to understand, money does not solve everything; and everyone, rich or poor, famous or infamous, has their demons. See it now on YouTube.
