When I saw 'Independence Day,' I said, 'I want to be like Will

"When I saw 'Independence Day,' I said, 'I want to be like Will Smith.' I want to do something like that. If he can do it, maybe one day I can come close to a set like that." – Cory Hardrict

Hear now the words of Cory Hardrict, spoken not in arrogance but in aspiration, for within them lies the fire of a young dreamer beholding greatness and daring to believe that he, too, might touch it one day. When he saw the mighty Will Smith stand before the world in “Independence Day,” he did not see only a man on a screen; he saw the mirror of possibility — the proof that talent, will, and perseverance could lift a person from ordinary life into the realm of legend. His words are not simply admiration; they are a declaration of faith — that greatness is not reserved for the few, but can be reached by those who believe deeply and labor endlessly.

The meaning of Hardrict’s reflection is the eternal truth that inspiration is the seed of destiny. Every great endeavor begins not with power or wealth, but with the spark of seeing someone else do the impossible. In Will Smith, Hardrict saw the embodiment of what he could become — not a rival, but a guidepost. This is how human greatness multiplies: one person’s success becomes the next generation’s calling. He looked upon Independence Day, a tale of courage and triumph, and felt within himself a whisper that said, If he can do it, so can I. That whisper is the same voice that has called heroes, artists, and leaders throughout all time to rise beyond their station and reach for what once seemed unreachable.

The origin of these words lies not only in the bright lights of Hollywood, but in the timeless story of ambition born from example. In ages past, the young would watch warriors return from battle, orators stir nations, or artists paint visions upon walls — and something inside them would awaken. So it was for Alexander the Great, who as a boy sat before the stories of Achilles and declared, “I shall surpass him.” So it was for Florence Nightingale, who read of compassion and service, and chose to bring healing where there was only despair. Hardrict’s moment, humble as it may seem, is part of this same sacred lineage — the inheritance of all who see greatness and dare to emulate it.

Yet, his words carry another truth: that inspiration alone is not enough. He did not say, “I want to be Will Smith.” He said, “I want to be like him.” In that single word, like, lies wisdom. It is not imitation he seeks, but transformation — to walk his own path, guided by another’s example. For the wise do not copy the footsteps of their heroes; they study their stride and then make their own road. To “come close to a set like that,” as Hardrict says, is not to steal another’s crown, but to craft one’s own through labor, faith, and endurance.

This is the lesson every dreamer must learn: that greatness is not inherited; it is earned. Many see the shining figures of the world — the musicians, the thinkers, the leaders — and wish to stand where they stand. But few are willing to walk the long miles they walked. To “come close to a set like that” means years of preparation, rejection, and perseverance. It means to train the mind and spirit as the athlete trains the body — to endure failure without losing hope, to face doubt without surrender. The mountain of success may seem high, but every summit begins with a single step taken in faith.

And there is yet another current in Hardrict’s words — the quiet acknowledgment of representation and inspiration across generations. For Will Smith, as a Black actor standing tall in one of Hollywood’s most iconic roles, became more than a performer — he became a symbol. His success opened doors for others to dream freely, to see themselves reflected in greatness. When Hardrict said, “If he can do it, maybe one day I can,” he spoke for countless others who saw in Smith’s victory a shared triumph of identity and perseverance. His dream was not selfish; it was a continuation of a legacy — a torch passed from one pioneer to another.

So, let this teaching be carried forth: inspiration is the bridge between potential and achievement. Do not envy those who shine; let their light reveal your own path. When you behold greatness, do not shrink in its presence — let it ignite your purpose. Seek not to become another, but to become yourself, awakened by their example. For as Cory Hardrict reminds us, one person’s success can awaken a thousand dreams — and from those dreams, the world itself is remade.

Thus, O listener, if ever you see someone stand upon the stage of greatness, do not say, “That could never be me.” Say instead, “If they can do it, perhaps one day I, too, will rise.” Then act — work, persevere, and believe. For it is not the gods who choose greatness, but the hearts that dare to pursue it. And in that pursuit, the dream of one generation becomes the destiny of the next.