Will Smith Calls Venus and Serena Williams the ‘American Dream’ During Critics Choice Awards Acceptance Speech [Video]

Will Smith adds another award to his collection as he won Best Actor at the 2022 Critics Awards for his performance in King Richard. 

Smith, 53, says, “I am here tonight with Venus and Serena [Williams] and their sister Isha. And I really just want to say to all of you, thank you for entrusting me with your story. What you were able to do, and what your family was able to do, inspired everyone in this room, everyone in this country, and everyone around the world.” 

Smith won in the same category at the 2022 SAG Awards and 2022 BAFTA Awards. He is currently nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award in the film. 

Venus and Serena Williams were executive producers on the film.

“You all define the American dream. You represent the best of what we all hope this world and this country can be.” 

Smith produced and stared in King Richard, he played star tennis athletes Venus and Serena Williams’s father, Richard. The film follows the journey of a hardworking father, Richard, who is determined to turn his daughters into history-making tennis players. 

He continues, “And I love that we were able to show what your mother did to help create and mold and shape your family, and be able to show to the world the power of faith, the power of unity, the power of family, the power of discipline.” 

Other nominees for the Best Actor category include Nicolas Cage (Pig), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Peter Dinklage (Cyrano), Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!) and Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth).

Taye Diggs and Nicole Byer hosted the 27th annual Critics Awards.