Janet Hubert was fully embraced by the audience at Brooklyn, NY’s Kings Theatre.
According to People, Hubert was one of the guest stars taking part in the event Will Smith: An Evening of Stories with Friends. The event reflected memories and life lessons Smith has covered in his upcoming memoir Will.
Audience members included Hubert, who played Aunt Viv on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Karyn Parson, who played Hillary Banks on the show. When Smith referred to Hubert as the “original Aunt Viv,” the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. Smith told Hubert, “Stand up, Janet. Get your flowers! Take it in! Take that in!”
The standing ovation lasted for two minutes, and in a press photo posted by People, Hubert appears happily overwhelmed.
Janet Hubert Gets Standing Ovation at Will Smith Event as He Talks Their ‘Healing’ Reconciliation https://t.co/twIH46s4UG
— People (@people) November 10, 2021
Hubert has had an upswing in her career ever since she and Smith finally buried the hatchet during the HBO Max Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special. Smith revealed that because of his people-pleasing tendencies he reckoned with later in life, he felt “threatened” by Hubert and was desperate to impress her. Hubert also talked about how she experienced being blackballed by the industry due to Smith shunning her at the height of his popularity.
“Words can kill. I lost everything. Reputation. Everything,” Hubert told Smith during the reunion. “And I understand you were able to move forward, but you know those words, calling a Black woman diffiuclt in Hollywood is the kiss of death. And it’s hard enough being a dark-skinned Black woman in this business. But I felt that it was necessary for us to finally move forward.”
Hubert has also been appearing on more television series, including a guest-starring role on 'Pose.'
She also has a role on season 2 of HBO Max’s Love Life and the new season of TBS’ The Last O.G. — among other things in the pipeline.
Hubert has also talked about feeling “peace” after reconciling with Smith. According to People, she said “If there are tree roots in the drain, the water doesn’t flow. The drain has been snaked.”
