Why J Balvin Invited Will Smith to Join His Coachella Set: 'A Mistake Cannot Define You'

"I felt his pain because I was going through a similar situation when I felt that some part of the world was against me for mistakes," Balvin said

J Balvin feels a special connection to Will Smith.

In a new Rolling Stone interview published on Tuesday, Aug. 13, the "Mi Gente" singer, 39, revealed why he was so eager to include Smith, 55, in his Coachella set in April.

"My inner child was screaming to have him in my show because there was no one better than him," he told the outlet.

Balvin brought Smith out onstage during his alien-themed UFO set at Coachella, where the Oscar-winner performed his 1997 hit "Men in Black" from the film of the same name. The two performed the song's famous dance moves side-by-side while Smith rapped in-character as Agent J from the movie.

Related: J Balvin Talks 'Rayo,' Seeing Latinos 'Win' and Letting Go of the Need to 'Prove Myself' (Exclusive)

According to Balvin, it took some work to convince Smith to join him onstage, but he persevered until the actor said yes.

"I told him my vision. He said, ‘Give me a week.’ And I kept pressuring, man," he said. "I kept sending him pictures of me praying, until he called and said he was down, and it was a beautiful moment to see us together, man."

Balvin also revealed that he feels "connected" to Smith, whom he describes as his "idol."

He said, "Will Smith has always been one of my biggest idols. Period. I feel really connected with him. You cannot judge a person for some mistakes."

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In 2022, Smith was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years after he slapped Chris Rock because the host made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. Balvin told the outlet that he understood how the King Richard star felt in the months following the incident.

"A mistake cannot define who you are because if it’s like that, we all are bad," he said.

Balvin added, “[With] what happened with Will Smith, I felt his pain because I was going through a similar situation when I felt that some part of the world was against me for mistakes."

Related: Will Smith Is 'More Cautious' and Has 'Learned a Lot' Since Oscars Slap: 'Time Can Heal' (Source)

The Colombian singer is most likely referring to his 2021 music video for "Perra," with Tokischa, which sparked controversy and accusations of "misogynoir" for its depictions of Black women on leashes.

At the time, Balvin apologized for the video, saying in an Instagram Story, "I want to say sorry to whomever felt offended, especially to the Black community. That's not who I am."

Balvin noted to Rolling Stone that feels both he and Smith are in better places now.

"I'm happy right now for his new season, too," he said. "As I'm having a new season, he's having his new season, and I salute that."

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