


Did Will Smith tell RuPaul to “sashay away?”
David Steven Simon, who served as the executive producer of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” revealed Tuesday that Smith once reportedly rejected a proposed cameo featuring “Drag Race” star RuPaul Charles on the hit sitcom because it was “a bad idea.”
“I remember him saying that would be a really bad idea,” Simon, 71, said to Thea Glassman, author of “Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television.”
According to the producer, Smith — who had veto power on every story arc in the ’90s sitcom — rarely rejected ideas but “refused” to have Charles, 62, on the show.
Simon said that Smith, 54, “kept repeating that it was a bad idea” so he eventually gave up and backed down on the idea.
The “Mad About You” producer later told Glassman that he suspected that Smith was worried about protecting his reputation.
“The reason he would say no is because of his image. Period. The End,” Simon said.
The Post reached out to Smith and Charles for comment.
Debuting in 1990, the autobiographical sitcom acted as a launchpad for Smith’s Hollywood career and would later be cemented as one of the most iconic television shows in history.
During this time, Charles was also making a name for himself by releasing his 1993 debut album, “Supermodel of the World.”
The drag star also appeared as a guest star in several other shows such as “Sister, Sister,” “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
In 1996, Charles launched his own talk show which lasted for about two years.
Charles later rocketed to fame with the successful launch of the 2009 reality competition show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” which gained several accolades and now has multiple spin-offs.
In 2020, it was announced that NBC would reboot “Fresh Prince” with Smith serving as executive producer.
Last year, Smith caused chaos at the 2022 Oscars when he slapped comedian Chris Rock for reportedly making fun of his wife’s alopecia.
According to Rock, 58, he has yet to receive an apology from Smith, despite the “King Richard” actor’s “public” admission of regret.
Since the incident, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences banned Smith from the award show for 10 years.
“The Board of Governors has decided, for a period of 10 years, from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” said the academy in a statement.
“Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television” is currently available for purchase on Amazon.