Will Smith paid for my first apartment…He doesn't even know it. Thanks Mr. Smith.
As i look back and reflect... I’ve realized...
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@willsmith es Mi familia. (Is my family)
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(He doesn’t know this 😂 and he may never see this but)
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You see...FAMILY isn’t someone just related by blood...or in this case, they don’t even have to really know you. 😂
But...they have to make such an impact in your life, that it changes you forever.
Will Smith is such human being for me. He is my family.
In 2001, you Mr @willsmith changed my life FOREVER and you changed the course of a young homeless & clueless man’s career. LITERALLY.
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Let me explain something that some may know...but he doesn’t:
Back then for a while...i was homeless, lived and slept in a park (#bayfrontpark) in the @cityofmiami and washed dishes at @bubbagump until eventually graduating to waiter. Thank Rob 😉
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I owned very little, which included a small camcorder, 3 CDs (among them Will’s #BigWillieStyle, #BridgingTheGap by @bep & @common’s single 'I used to love H.e.r') I also was blessed with a few cassettes that included The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, @aventura’s #GenerationNext, @magicjuan’s #FLIAtheAlbum & a few from singles from @juanluisguerra ...i had no place to go, with just big “delusional dreams” of being in the music industry one day with pocket full of dreams and lint as well as a garbage bag of clothes...
That was until someone gave me a book...And so 3 weeks later...it began...
WILL SMITH PAID FOR MY FIRST APARTMENT. He doesn’t know it…but here’s how it happened….
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In 2001, a ‘chance’ audition (from @MiamiHerald’s classifieds ad) got me the job of a lifetime, as I got booked to co-host with young @irie the (world launch) keynote of @microsoft’s two new products: @xbox & #WindowsXP
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Here’s the thing...at that event I was asked to perform #Miami or #WelcomeToMiami, with the lyrics altered to Microsoft lyrics, but it was literally the song i listened to EVERY DAY.
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I’m grateful every day for that fateful opportunity.
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What are the odds that, shortly after this...I got asked to work on the set of the film #ALI and spent weeks, learning and watching @willsmith & crew...#MrSmith was always humble, polite, funny and courteous to everyone on set including the fans standing behind the yellow stripes in the hood. He even had a few conversations with me. I was just a Stand-in‼️
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I will never forget the day, @muhammedali came on set. Me and my buddy where the stand-ins for them, for their TIME MAGAZINE shoot. I for @willsmith and my friend for the champ. I had the body of a teenage girl compared to Will’s buff boxing shape, but i guess our skin tones where similar. 🤣
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Because of these experiences, my life changed. I got an apartment the same day i finished the #Xbox #Launch and i was so moved and inspired by all that #MrSmith talked about daily, that i begin to read books that completely changed my mindset, my perspectives & ultimately my life.
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One of my closest families now, is Isabel and Rosario Dawson. They are my family, needless to say…Like attracts like. They are two of the most humble and beautiful people I know as is their whole family. So I can see why you have worked in many projects together. It's all ONE #LOV
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(Last by not least, YES THAT IS ME WITH DREADS BACK THEN, AND YES THAT IS ME AND WILL ON THE SET OF 'ALI')
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So here is a few of the biggest lessons I learned from that fortuitous time in my life:
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💯BE a #Delusionary - You gotta be a little bit delusional but be a visionary & build a plan, a team and strategy.
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💯And anything is possible...hence the word #Impossible really says I’M-possible.
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💯Take a chance on someone. Give them a book and/or lend them an ear.
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💯Thank YOU @willsmith for impacting so many of us. Your life has been a bright candle with a compass for some of us lost in the dark abyss of uncertainty.
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💯Tú eres mi familia Will❗️❤️
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Well, after writing all this and putting my heart out...I think you all can help me get @willsmith to see this caption...everyone tag him‼️Making feel the gratitude‼️#MrSmith 🤣 🙏🏾
Who is someone that has impacted your life?
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Tag them below and tell them why‼️