In the latest episode of his Facebook Watch series Bucket List, Will Smith dives deep into the waters of the Bahamas to confront one of his biggest fears—swimming with sharks. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star, now 50, has admitted to having a debilitating fear of sharks, which he jokingly blames on Jaws director Steven Spielberg for instilling in him at a young age. This episode gives viewers a front-row seat to watch Will face his fears head-on, all while documenting the experience in a way that's both personal and inspiring.
Will Smith's Shark Encounter: A Journey Into the Unknown
“We’re in the Bahamas, and I’m about to do something I’ve never done before—diving with sharks,” Will said as he geared up in his full diving suit. However, things didn’t quite go as he originally imagined. “When I first came up with this bucket list idea, I thought I’d be safe in a cage,” he confessed. “I wasn’t expecting to dive freely and wide open with the sharks.” But that’s exactly what happened, and you can watch the thrilling moment unfold right here.
Prepping for the Dive: Expert Guidance and a Leap of Faith
Before jumping into the deep blue, Will and his friends received detailed instructions from experts on how to behave around sharks. Armed with knowledge and a touch of nervous energy, the group boarded a boat out to the open ocean. To their surprise, they were immediately greeted by more than a dozen small lemon sharks swimming around them. While this might sound intimidating, it was just the beginning of Will’s journey.
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Will explained his reasoning for taking on such a daunting challenge. “There’s a part of me that feels like I need to push beyond my comfort zone,” he said. “I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever dreamed of, but there’s still something more out there. My fear of the unknown is holding me back from reaching that next level of wisdom. When you’re no longer afraid to die, you’re also no longer afraid to live.”
Facing the Fear: The Moment of Truth
If the idea of dozens of small sharks swimming around you sounds terrifying, imagine how Will felt when he was told he’d have to dive beneath them to reach the ocean floor. “I hate being scared,” he admitted candidly. “Fear has marked my entire childhood, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to conquer. You can’t truly be happy if you’re scared all the time. The only way to overcome fear is to confront it head-on.”
And confront it he did. After a brief moment of hesitation, Will took the plunge. To everyone’s surprise, he looked completely at ease in the water. Not only did he touch the sharks multiple times, but he even gently nudged a few away when they got too close to his face. “Nothing in life will ever feel like this,” Will exclaimed to the camera afterward. “The reason you push yourself to the edge is because the rest of life becomes so much more enjoyable.”
We can’t help but admire Will’s fearless approach to life. Whether it’s diving with sharks or pursuing new challenges, he’s proving that facing your fears can lead to incredible growth and fulfillment.
