Why J Balvin Invited Will Smith to Join His Coachella Set: 'A Mistake Cannot Define You'

Mar. 15, 2025

J Balvin (left); Will Smith.Photo:Taylor Hill/FilmMagic, Hector Vivas/Getty

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic, Hector Vivas/Getty

J Balvinfeels a special connection toWill Smith.

In anewRolling Stoneinterviewpublished on Tuesday, Aug. 13, the “Mi Gente” singer, 39, revealed why he was so eager to include Smith, 55, in his Coachella set in April.

“My inner child was screaming to have him in my show because there was no one better than him,” he told the outlet.

Will Smith (left) and J Balvin perform at Coachella in Indio in April 2024.Arturo Holmes/Getty

Arturo Holmes/Getty

According to Balvin, it took some work to convince Smith to join him onstage, but he persevered until the actor said yes.

“I told him my vision. He said, ‘Give me a week.’ And I kept pressuring, man,” he said. “I kept sending him pictures of me praying, until he called and said he was down, and it was a beautiful moment to see us together, man.”

Balvin also revealed that he feels “connected” to Smith, whom he describes as his “idol.”

He said, “Will Smith has always been one of my biggest idols. Period. I feel really connected with him. You cannot judge a person for some mistakes.”

Will Smith in Berlin in May 2024.Ben Kriemann/WireImage

Ben Kriemann/WireImage

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In 2022, Smith wasbanned from attending the Oscarsfor 10 years after he slappedChris Rockbecause the host made a joke about his wife,Jada Pinkett-Smith. Balvin told the outlet that he understood how theKing Richardstar felt in the months following the incident.

“A mistake cannot define who you are because if it’s like that, we all are bad,” he said.

Balvin added, “[With] what happened with Will Smith, I felt his pain because I was going through a similar situation when I felt that some part of the world was against me for mistakes."

The Colombian singer is most likely referring to his 2021 music video for “Perra,” with Tokischa, whichsparked controversyand accusations of “misogynoir” for its depictions of Black women on leashes.

At the time,Balvin apologized for the video, saying in an Instagram Story, “I want to say sorry to whomever felt offended, especially to the Black community. That’s not who I am.”

Balvin noted toRolling Stonethat feels both he and Smith are in better places now.

“I’m happy right now for his new season, too,” he said. “As I’m having a new season, he’s having his new season, and I salute that.”

source: people.com