‘I was out of line …’ Will Smith issues public apology to Chris Rock for slapping him at the Oscars
Smith said that his behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.
By ET Online | Updated:
Oscars 2022: Will Smith publicly apologises to Chris Rock over slap incident
Will Smith’s angry outburst at the Oscars has cast a shadow over his best actor win, and the star seems to be regretting his ‘emotional reaction’ not only during his award acceptance speech but also after returning home.
A day after the shocking incident of Smith slapping Chris Rock on Oscars stage for cracking a joke about his wife, the memes and opinions surrounding it is only growing in volume. In fact, thanks to social media, it has taken a life of its own with the slapping clip going viral. This has not only prompted the Academy to launch a formal investigation into the altercation but also made Smith issue another apology.
Smith posted a long Instagram note apologising for his behaviour at the Oscars.
Although the actor had previously said sorry to Rock as well as the Academy in his award acceptance speech, he again took to his Instagram account after the award show and said that he condemns violence in all of its forms, as it is poisonous and destructive.
The 53-year-old posted an official statement on his Instagram feed which said, “ My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally…I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
The ‘Men In Black’ actor again took the opportunity to express his regrets to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching the event live, around the world.
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Will Smith angrily slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars award after the comedian takes a dig at his wife's medical condition that causes baldness. Last but definitely not the least, Smith also asked Williams family’s and his ‘King Richard’ family’s forgiveness. “I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my ‘King Richard’ Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress,” the actor concluded.
For those of you who could by some miracle evade the Will Smith-Chris Rock altercation news, here are the details. Yesterday, when Chris Rock took the stage to introduce the Best Documentary feature, he being a comedian, cracked a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett-Smith’s baldness, and compared her to ‘G.I. Jane’. Smith. However, Smith did not take the joke too well.
He rushed onto the stage, and lodged two tight slaps on Chris Rock’s face, as a panicked audience watched in horror, wondering whether the moment was scripted or if Smith really meant it. The revelation that Smith was actually angry came when the ‘King Richard’ actor yelled at the top of his lungs, and said, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
However, after the moment of misconduct, Smith quickly understood the gravity of his misconduct and when he returned on stage to collect his Best Actor trophy for his performance in ‘King Richard’ the actor got emotional and with tears rolling down his eyes said sorry to the Academy, as well Rock.
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“ In this business, you gotta be able to have people disrespecting you and you gotta smile and you gotta pretend like that's OK. But Richard Williams, and what I loved, thank you D. Denzel (Washington) said to me a few minutes ago, he said, 'At your highest moment, be careful. That's when the devil comes for you,'" said the actor.
The actor further added that he wanted to apologize to the Academy and all his fellow nominees. “This is a beautiful moment and I'm not crying for winning an award. It's not about winning an award for me…I'm hoping the Academy invites me back. Thank you,” he concluded.
The Academy is currently investigating the matter.
Oscars 2022 Winners: 'CODA' Is The Movie Of The Year; Jane Campion Beats Steven Spielberg As Best Director
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Drama, emotions and epic performances - it was an Oscars to remember.
In case you forgot to catch the live action, we've got you covered.
Here's a list of the top winners at the 94th Academy Awards.
Drama, emotions and epic performances - it was an Oscars to remember.In case you forgot to catch the live action, we've got you covered.Here's a list of the top winners at the 94th Academy Awards.
The Academy's aim this year was to end the ceremony on a feel-good note by naming 'CODA' in the Best Picture category. The deaf family drama, which got its first premiere at a virtual Sundance Film Festival in 2021, started its journey as an underdog, but earned its place as an Oscar-favourite for the top award.
Sian Heder also won the Best Adapted Screenplay Award.
The movie is available to stream on Apple TV+. (Image: AFP)
The Academy's aim this year was to end the ceremony on a feel-good note by naming 'CODA' in the Best Picture category. The deaf family drama, which got its first premiere at a virtual Sundance Film F..
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The Will Smith-Chris Rock drama caught everyone's attention. A joke, followed by an angry slap, was the most-discussed topic at the ceremony.
But, let's keep it for another time. Smith, who played the character of Venus and Serena Williams' father in 'King Richard', took home his first Oscar by bagging the Best Actor award.
The actor was in tears and shared an emotional acceptance speech, later apologising to the Academy and his fellow nominees.
(Image: AFP)
The Will Smith-Chris Rock drama caught everyone's attention. A joke, followed by an angry slap, was the most-discussed topic at the ceremony.But, let's keep it for another time. Smith, who played the..
Read More
'Dune' claimed the top spot with awards in six categories.
Cinematography: Greig Fraser
Music (Original Score): Hans Zimmer
Film editing: Joe Walker
Production design: Patrice Vermette & Zsuzsanna Sipos
Visual Effects: Brian Connor, Paul Lambert, Gerd Nefzer & Tristan Myles
Sound: Doug Hemphill, Theo Green, Mark Mangini, Ron Barlett & Mac Ruth
'Dune' claimed the top spot with awards in six categories.Cinematography: Greig Fraser Music (Original Score): Hans ZimmerFilm editing: Joe WalkerProduction design: Patrice Vermette & Zsuzsanna Sipos..
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Actress Jessica Chastain was the front-runner for the Best Actress award, and the Oscars didn't disappoint. This was her first Oscar for portraying the empathetic televangelist Tammy Faye in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'. She also produced the movie.
(Image: AFP)
Actress Jessica Chastain was the front-runner for the Best Actress award, and the Oscars didn't disappoint. This was her first Oscar for portraying the empathetic televangelist Tammy Faye in 'The Eye..
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Film-maker Jane Campion finally managed to beat Steven Spielberg, after 28 years, to win the Best Director Award for 'The Power of the Dog'.
While this is first Best Director Oscar, she is the first woman to be nominated twice for the Best Director title.
Prior to this, she won the Best Original Screenplay trophy in 1994 for 'The Piano'.
(Image: Reuters)
Film-maker Jane Campion finally managed to beat Steven Spielberg, after 28 years, to win the Best Director Award for 'The Power of the Dog'.While this is first Best Director Oscar, she is the first w..
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It was an emotional moment for the 'CODA' team when Troy Kotsur won the Best Supporting Actor award. He is the first first male deaf actor to win an Oscar, and only the second deaf actor to hold the prestigious trophy, joining his 'CODA' co-star Matlin.
Kotsur dedicated his award to the Deaf, disabled and the CODA community.
(Image: Reuters)
It was an emotional moment for the 'CODA' team when Troy Kotsur won the Best Supporting Actor award. He is the first first male deaf actor to win an Oscar, and only the second deaf actor to hold the ..
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Billie Eilish couldn't contain her happiness on winning her first Oscar.
She, along with her producer-brother, Finneas O'Connell, won the Best Original Song award for writing the title track 'No Time to Die' from Daniel Craig's last Bond film of the same name.
Eilish also performed the song at the ceremony.
Prior to this, two other Bond songs won the Best Original Song title - Adele's 'Skyfall' in 2012, and Sam Smith's 'Writing's on the Wall' in 2015.
(Image: AP)
Billie Eilish couldn't contain her happiness on winning her first Oscar.She, along with her producer-brother, Finneas O'Connell, won the Best Original Song award for writing the title track 'No Time ..
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'West Side Story' star Ariana DeBose was among the early winners at the ceremony. She won her first Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for acting, singing and dancing as Anita in the Steven Spielberg-directorial.
She becomes the first Afro-Latina and openly LGBTQ actress to win in the category.
(Image: Reuters)
'West Side Story' star Ariana DeBose was among the early winners at the ceremony. She won her first Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for acting, singingand dancing as Anita in the Steven..
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It turned out to be a big blow to India when 'Summer of Soul' bagged the Best Documentary title at the ceremony.
(Image: AFP)
It turned out to be a big blow to India when 'Summer of Soul' bagged the Best Documentary title at the ceremony. (Image: AFP)
