”I discovered that what we do isn’t for us, it’s not about us; we’re right here to deliver dignity, to symbolize, to broaden, to push ahead, and I discovered that right here, at his toes,” Ali mentioned of working with Avery, the patriarch of the Banks household and “heart of the show,” per the solid. Avery handed away in 2013, however as a result of his affect and significance was so huge, the solid devoted a particular part of the reunion to remembering him — and his love of jazz. “He introduced me to Black art in ways that I wouldn’t have gotten that education anywhere else,” Ali mentioned. Smith added that Avery “pushed me so hard. His thing was, ‘I am in such a unique position, and that responsibility, you must elevate your craft. You have to represent and you are paving a way.’” Through the scene wherein Will goes off on not needing his father however then finally ends up breaking down and asking his uncle why the person doesn’t need him, Smith additionally shared that he flubbed the road at first, Avery reset him by telling him to “use me,” after which on the finish of the take after they had been embracing, Avery whispered in his ear, “Now that’s acting.”
