He finally decides to speak up and release a video to address the incident that garnered headlines for weeks.
Four months have passed after Will Smith hit Chris Rock and yelled a profanity at him for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s looks at the 2022 Academy Awards, alluding to being in “G.I. Jane” because of her shaved head.
In a roughly six-minute video that he uploaded on his YouTube account, the actor made the decision to elaborate on the situation where he answered viewers’ queries about what happened and offered the comic his sincerest apologies.
“I was fogged out by that point. It is all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that, he’s not ready to talk. When he is, he will reach out,” Smith began. “I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I am here whenever you are ready to talk.”
The Best Actor Oscar winner for “King Richard,” who won his award at the same occasion, also expressed regret to Rock’s mother and his brother, Tony Rock, adding that he was unaware of the extent of the harm that was done at the time and wasn’t thinking clearly.
“I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the nuance and complexity of what happened in that moment. I’m not going to try to unpack all of that right now, but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. No part of me that thinks that is the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insult.”
Smith further expressed regret to his wife, family, and the Oscar candidates whose nominations went overlooked due to the event that went viral on social media. He further clarified that his wife had never requested for nor been persuaded by his behavior.
“No. I made a choice on my own, from my own experience, and my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it. I’m sorry, babe, and I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us,” he added.
“To all my fellow nominees, this is a community. I won because you voted for me and it really breaks my heart to have stolen and tarnished your moment. I can still see Questlove’s eyes – it happened on Questlove’s award – and I am sorry isn’t really sufficient.”
“I’m human and I made a mistake and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of shit so I would say to those people, I know it was confusing, I know it was shocking, but I promise you I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world,” he concluded. “If you hang on, I promise we will be able to be friends again.”
As we previously reported, Smith was banned from attending the Academy Awards for the next 10 years as a result of what he did. In addition, he is not authorized to attend any further Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences events for the next decade.
Reactions to Will Smith Addresses Oscars Slap And Issues Another Apology To Chris Rock In New Video
Twitter after watching Will Smith, but going back to Beyoncé:
Twitter after watching Will Smith, but going back to Beyoncé: pic.twitter.com/Pe0WbjDsI6
— 🔝 (@D1aphanousBTS) July 29, 2022
Will Smith being compelled to apologize to Chris Rock, while the very idea of Chris Rock apologizing to Jada would likely get you laughed out of most rooms... Humanity is funny lol
Will Smith being compelled to apologize to Chris Rock, while the very idea of Chris Rock apologizing to Jada would likely get you laughed out of most rooms…
— Claude DeBussy (@angryblkhoemo) July 29, 2022
Humanity is funny lol
Behind the scenes of Will Smith apology... #WillSmith #apology #Memes
Behind the scenes of Will Smith apology…#WillSmith #apology #Memes pic.twitter.com/B8ZpXS0qYE
— Attack on Show (@attackonshow) July 29, 2022