Interview with Will Smith & Ang Lee
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Yesterday was another day that the people of Microsoft got to see me all the way in my element! I was extremely honored that the team at Microsoft's Outside In asked me to moderate a discussion with Will Smith & Ang Lee about their lives and new movie Gemini Man. Being the person drawing stories from these two incredible people and being a part of creating the moments we all experienced that day is something I won't soon forget. It was pure magic seeing Will Smith leap off the stage to sign a fan's vintage record. And I could barely contain my joy when he welcomed my little girl to the stage to share a hug with her.
I themed the interview around the topic of courage because it is a personal value that I anchor my life choices on and it felt like something that I shared with both of these incredible people. Ang Lee is a visionary director who repeatedly elevates the art form of cinema with his heart-wrenching, visuals feasts. And of course, Will Smith is Will Smith. And if you really listen to his advice and take in his energy, he'll have you jumping head-first into everything that scares and excites you.
They stopped by Microsoft to share wisdom they’ve picked up along the way in their extraordinary lives and to share the inside scoop on their movie Gemini man. It’s the story of Henry Brogan, an elite assassin who becomes the target of a mysterious operative who turns out to be a younger, faster, cloned version of himself.
Will Smith and Ang Lee have very different personalities, but an obvious respect and admiration for each other that was wonderful to be around. I missed both of them and so many people from the production team when it was over. Isn't that lovely? To enjoy people so much you immediately miss them? Not only did I get to sit right in the pocket of something I love to do, I met a gaggle of new talented and warm people in this process. I won so much.
Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from the interview:
Ang Lee: "Technology is a tool we can use to chase our imagination. We chase, but we will never catch it."
Ang Lee: "Learning is not a tool to get to the goal. Learning IS the goal of life."
Will Smith: "Choose your friends properly...surround yourself with people who believe in you and will push you...put together a group of people with whom you can push against the world."
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Hanging out backstage with the one and only Will Smith!
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My daughter missed a school field trip to join me for this day, so it was extra special to see Will show her some love during the show.
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I was honored to meet Jana Babatunde-Bey after the interview. She is the President & CEO of the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation (WJSFF), a private non-profit that supports charities in the areas of arts & education, empowerment, health & wellness, and sustainability.
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Will Smith acknowledged me as a standup comedian in front of a room of other humans and it sent my funny bone into overdrive. Making them laugh made my heart soar!
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But no one owns a room like Will Smith. He had us rolling with his act out moments during the interview!
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Thank you to every single human who was involved in the success of this remarkable day. You've all created a monster. A really courageous and happy monster.
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ABOUT KIESHA GARRISON
Kiesha Garrison is a professional emcee and public speaker whose work focuses on personal discovery and courageous conversations that connect us to our true selves and community.
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