Will Smith Publicly Apologizes To Chris Rock For Slap At The Oscars
Will Smith publicly apologized to comedian Chris Rock for slapping him during Sunday’s Oscar ceremony.
The Oscar-winning actor released a statement on Instagram Monday evening stating, “I was out of line and I was wrong.”
Will also apologized to the Academy, all the participants, the viewers, the Williams family and The King Richard team.
The incident unfolded Sunday night during the Oscars ceremony after Chris made a joke about Will’s wife actress Jada Pinkett-Smith‘s bald head. Jada, who has alopecia (a condition that leads to hair loss), didn’t find the joke funny.
Will then made it clear that he would defend his wife. He walked onto the stage toward Chris and gave him an unexpected slap. He then returned to his seat and demanded that Chris keeps his “wife name out his f***ing mouth.”
During a commercial break, guests such as Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry, and Bradley Cooper, went to Will to offer support and advice.
Denzel told him, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when they devil comes for you.”
Despite all of the drama, Will still took home the award for best actor.
During his speech, he apologized to everyone but Chris.
His change of heart comes shortly after the Academy shared they do not condone this type of behavior and a review is in progress.
“The academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the film organization said in a statement.
“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.”
The Academy’s document states it prohibits “physical contact that is uninvited and, in the situation, inappropriate and unwelcome, or coercive sexual attention.”
SAG (Screen Actors Guild), actors’ union, stated “Violence or physical abuse in the workplace is never appropriate and the union condemns any such conduct,” the union said in a statement Monday. “The incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable.”
The union also added it “does not comment on any pending member disciplinary process.”
Another person who doesn’t condone Will’s behavior is Richard Williams, the man who Will portrayed in King Richard.
Sir Williams was described by Will as a fierce defender of his family but King Richard himself told PEOPLE (via his son Chavoita LeSane), “we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defense.”
The unfortunate event overshadowed many great things that occurred in this year’s Oscar. Producer Will Packer because the first Black producer of the award show, D-Nice entertained the audience as the show’s DJ, Blue Ivy Carter performed for the first time with her superstar mom Beyoncé, and Will won his first Academy Award.
Will Packer tweeted:
The Hollywood producer then added:
Chris’ joke is just one of the many comments that could be bothering Will. Over the years, he had to endure attacks against him and his family, especially during the “entanglement” situation with wife Jada and her ex-lover singer August Alsina.
It looks like Chris’ joke was the last straw.
No word on Chris yet but reports say that he seems unfazed about Will’s confrontation. He was seen partying at an Oscar after-party. He also declined to press charges against Will.
