*Will Smith is contemplating a bold rebrand to “Welsh Smith” after learning of his surprising Welsh connections during a BBC Radio Wales interview.
As EW reports, host Lucy Owens revealed that Smith’s Philadelphia neighborhood, Wynnefield, is named after Welsh physician Dr. Thomas Wynne, and his mother’s hometown, Bryn Mawr—where Smith owns a home—was founded by 17th-century Welsh Quakers. “So I’m Welsh?!” Smith exclaimed. “I’m Welsh, basically.”
Owens playfully claimed Smith for Wales, saying, “Yes, Will! You are Welsh and we are claiming you.”
Smith responded with enthusiasm, joking, “That might be my new name. Welsh Smith. I’m gonna be Welsh Smith.”
The revelation deepened when Owens noted that Bryn Mawr translates to “big hill” in Welsh, prompting Smith to quip, “Big Will lives in Big Hill. This is crazy.”
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The actor even freestyled a rap, delivering, “Big hill, big Will— big still!” as Owens suggested he turn the discovery into music. Smith’s Welsh ties extend to his upcoming performance at Cardiff Castle on August 25, part of his tour for his new album “Based on a True Story.”
Released on March 28 via RITW/SLANG Recordings, the project features previously released singles like “First Love,” “Beautiful Scars,” “TANTRUM,” “Work of Art,” and “You Can Make It.” To celebrate the album’s release, Smith is hitting the road for his first-ever headlining tour, the Based on a True Story Summer Tour. Kicking off on July 13 in Hamburg, Germany, the trek will take him to major cities across Europe, the UK, and Morocco.
He’s also set to perform at top international festivals, including: Mawazine Festival (Morocco), POSITIV Festival (France), Dreambeach Festival (Spain) and the BIG ART Festival (Italy). Tickets are available at willsmith.com.
Before embarking on his tour, Smith returned to his hometown of Philadelphia, where the street outside his former high school, Overbrook High, was officially renamed “Will Smith Way” in his honor. The emotional moment marked a full-circle moment for the artist, who has always credited Philly for shaping his journey.
“When I thought about the ‘Will Smith Way,’ I thought about my mother, my father, and my grandmother,” he said during the ceremony.
The Hollywood icon credited his parents and grandparents for instilling important life lessons that he carries with him. “The ‘Will Smith Way’ is encompassed in the lessons that I got from my father, my mother, and my grandfather,” Smith added.
