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The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's tallest building. Standing 160 stories, the building's spire, along with Dubai's skyscraper skyline, often peeks above the clouds. So photographs of
movie star Will Smith sitting atop the building may look fake — but they're not.
The "Independence Day" star did climb to the very top of the Burj Khalifa. He did it as part of his new YouTube Originals series, "Best Shape of My Life," in which Smith strives to, as the
title states, get back into shape after gaining weight during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the show, Smith scaled all 2,909 of the skyscraper's steps, and then some. After climbing the stairs, Smith decided he wanted to get to the very top of the building, its spire. To do
that, he had to climb additional ladders.
In June 2021, a photograph of Tom Cruise sitting atop the Burj Khalifa's spire also went viral. The picture was taken in 2011 during the filming of the fourth installment of the "Mission
Impossible" film series.
Entertainment Tonight. "Will Smith Kicks Off His Emotional Fitness Journey in First 2 Episodes of 'Best Shape of My Life.'" 8 November 2021,
https://www.etonline.com/will-smith-admits-he-was-embarrassed-of-pandemic-weight-gain-in-best-shape-of-my-life-docuseries.
Bethania Palma is a journalist from the Los Angeles area who has been working in the news industry since 2006.
