Photo Credit: Getty Images
Will Smith is embracing a surprising connection to his Welsh heritage and even joked about changing his name after learning more about his roots. During an interview on BBC Radio Wales on Saturday, July 12, the 56-year-old actor and musician appeared to promote his upcoming U.K. tour dates for his new album "Based on a True Story".
In the conversation, host Lucy Owen shared that Smith's hometown of Wynnefield, Pennsylvania, is named after Dr. Thomas Wynne, a Welsh physician. The revelation sparked laughter from Smith, who responded, "So I'm Welsh! I'm Welsh, basically. That's what we're saying." Owen confirmed the idea playfully, telling him, "You are Welsh, and we are claiming you."
Smith joked that he might even take on a new name to reflect his connection to Wales. Laughing, he said, "That might be my new name: Welsh Smith. I'm gonna be Welsh Smith."
The conversation continued as Owen pointed out that Bryn Mawr, the town where Smith's mother, Caroline Bright, resides, also has Welsh origins. She explained that "Bryn" means "hill" and "Mawr" means "big" in Welsh, translating to "Big Hill."
Smith immediately made the connection to his famous nickname. "Big Hill! Big Will lives in Big Hill. This is crazy," he said, adding with amusement, "Big hill. Big Will. Big still."
Smith is currently on a global tour for *Based on a True Story*, his first studio album since 2005's *Lost and Found*. The tour began in Rabat, Morocco, on June 25 and includes five performances in the United Kingdom between August 24 and August 30. One of those shows will take place in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, on August 25.
The Welsh connections do not stop with place names. During the interview, Smith also noted that he and DJ Jazzy Jeff recorded parts of their first album in the United Kingdom, adding to the meaningful ties he feels with the country.
Though Smith spoke lightheartedly about changing his name, the interview revealed a genuine sense of excitement about his newly discovered heritage. The playful revelation added a personal layer to his upcoming U.K. tour and offered fans a glimpse into the artist's appreciation for cultural roots and history.
