Will Smith

The Oscar-nominated actor stars in the biopic King Richard

- MELON RADEBE

HAVING RAISED two children who became superstars, Will Smith is no stranger to parenting and nurturing talent. In King Richard, he plays Richard Williams, the father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, played by Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton.

Before his famous daughters were born, Richard and his wife, Brandi (Aunjanue Ellis), came up with a plan, which they documented in a 78-page manifesto, to make the girls stars. Nearly everything in the Williams’ plan came to fruition, thanks to their hard work, Richard’s coaching and his relentless efforts to open doors for a pair of girls from a poor neighbourhood in Compton, California.

“Richard Williams is a lot like my father,” Will (53) says. “So when I first read [the script], I understood what it’s like to want your kids to succeed. I had done it a little bit with my kids. I understood what it was to try to mould a young mind.”