Why J Balvin invited Will Smith to join his Coachella set

J Balvin feels a special connection with Will Smith.

In a new Rolling Stone interview published Tuesday, Aug. 13, the “Mi Gente” singer, 39, revealed why he was so eager to include Smith, 55, in his set at Coachella in April.

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

Balvin brought Smith onstage during his alien-themed UFO set at Coachella, where the Oscar winner performed his 1997 hit “Men in Black” from the film of the same name. The two performed the song’s famous dance moves side-by-side, while Smith rapped in character as Agent J from the film.

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

“I told him my vision. He said, “Give me a week.” And I just kept pushing, man,” he said. “I kept sending him pictures of me praying, until he called and said he was down and it was a nice time to see you together, man.”

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

He said: “Will Smith has always been one of my biggest idols. Period. I feel really connected to him. You can’t judge a person for some mistakes.”

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In 2022, Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock because the host made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. Balvin told the press that he understood how King Richard star felt in the months following the incident.

“One mistake can’t define who you are because if it is, we’re all bad,” he said.

Balvin added, “(With) what happened with Will Smith, I felt his pain because I was going through a similar situation where I felt part of the world was against me for mistakes.”

The Colombian singer is most likely referring to his 2021 video for “Perra” with Tokischa, which sparked controversy and accusations of “misogyny” for its depictions of black women on leashes.

At the time, Balvin apologized for the video, saying in an Instagram story: “I want to apologize to anyone who was offended, especially the black community. I am not who I am.”

noted Balvin Rolling Stone that feels like both he and Smith are in better places now.

“I am also happy now for his new season,” he said. “As I have a new season, he has his new season and I welcome that.”