Colman Domingo reveals why he wasn’t friends with Will Smith at school
Appearing on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, Domingo spoke about growing up alongside the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor
By Aaron Sugg
Colman Domingo has revealed why he wasn’t friends with Will Smith during their time at Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Smith, 58, was one year ahead of Domingo, 56, although they shared gym and science classes. However, the pair moved in different social circles, with Smith in the popular crowd.
Appearing on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, hosted by Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky (Dave Burd) and Kristin Batalucco, Domingo spoke about growing up alongside the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor.
“No, you didn’t,” Blanco said in disbelief.
“We were never friends” – Colman Domingo on growing up with Will Smith
“Yes, I did,” Domingo replied. “Same time. He was in the class before me. We had gym class and science class together.”
“We were never friends. He was the cool kid, and I was the nerd. I was trying to not get beat up the whole time,” the actor explained.
Domingo remembered Smith as someone who was already popular during their school years, thanks in part to his burgeoning music career.
Smith before The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Before starring in the hit 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith was already making a name for himself as a rapper.
At the time, he was performing with DJ Jazzy Jeff, one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.
“He was famous, especially in West Philly, because he and Jazzy Jeff, they would go and perform at the Wind Ballroom.”
Domingo says Smith was popular
Domingo also recalled how obvious the social divide was between the pupils, particularly when it came to how they travelled to school. He said Smith was undoubtedly one of the most popular students.
“We either had kids who came in on the bus, which was me, and he had kids like, you know, wealthy kids or middle-class kids that came in with their parents’ BMW. I think he was on that side.”
Despite their different social circles, Domingo praised his former schoolmate, describing him as “himself, charismatic, wonderful”.
Meeting in adulthood
Although Domingo has since become successful in Hollywood, he hasn’t crossed paths with Smith in decades. However, before finding fame, he had one unexpected encounter with the rapper while working as a waiter at an El Torito restaurant in Philadelphia.
Smith was there with a large group of friends when Domingo recognised him and reminded him that they had attended the same high school.
The pair hugged, but Domingo said they haven’t seen each other since.