If there’s one lesson Will Smith has learned in the past few years, it’s that fame is a monster.

On Saturday, the 55-year-old shared his insights about the ups and downs of his experiences as a superstar navigating fame during the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.

Smith’s star dimmed when he slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars. And he talked candidly about the outcome of what he learned from the experience at the height of his career.

“Fame is a unique monster,” Smith said, according to a clip shared online by Deadline.

“I’ve had to be really careful.”

“You can’t get excited when everybody is saying good things about you, because the more you take when people are saying good things about you, the more hurt you’re gonna be when people are saying bad things about you,” he added.

The I Am Legend star also opened up about “adversities” that helped to center his focus moving forward.

“And I can’t need others to applaud for me to stay focused on my mission. I have always wanted to put good into the world,” Smith added. “I have always wanted to make people smile. I have always been devoted to the process of joy and inspiration.”

The prolific actor said he has to “be clear about who I am and what I am attempting to do in the world.”

Smith is seemingly getting his groover back and is working on a sequel to I AM LEGEND with Michael B. Jordan. And if you’re wondering how that’s possible when his character died, Smith reveals the DVD had an alternate version where he lived.