Half-Assed Internet Research
Ellis Island ancestry; Smith’s inability to swim; Eva Mendes in Miami; soundtrack; proposed Jets stadium.
Production accounts and period New York details are retained separately.
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:32Read transcript
- Will Smith reportedly resisted Ellis Island because Black Americans generally did not enter there; his producing partner’s family record changed his mind.
- Smith reportedly could not swim and wore a large life vest for the jet-ski work.
- Eva Mendes appearing in the Miami music video and Smith not remembering her are reported.
- The soundtrack’s Amerie and Beyoncé comparison is discussed as music lore.
- Albert’s reference to the proposed West Side Jets stadium is retained as period research.