- Will Smith makes statement about slapping Chris Rock
- The actor explains what prompted him to react the way he did
- Smith apologizes to those who were impacted by his behaviour
Will Smith has spoken up after his controversial actions during the 2022 Oscars. The actor, who shocked the world by slapping Chris Rock after the comedian joked about his wife Jada, took to Instagram on Monday to apologize for how things went down.
Smith says Rock's joke "was too much for me to bear"
Smith acknowledged that he was in the wrong for how he conducted himself during Sunday's awards show. "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive," he began his statement. "My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable." He admitted that he "reacted emotionally" to Rock's joke about Jada's shaved head, which he said "was too much for me to bear."
The star, who won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in King Richard, went on to issue several apologies. His first apology was directed to Rock himself. "I was out of line and I was wrong," Smith said, admitting he was "embarrassed" by the way he reacted. He also apologized to all those who watched or were involved in the Oscars.
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The slap heard around the world!
Smith's final apologies went to the Williams family, whose patriarch he portrayed in King Richard, and those who were part of the film."I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us," he said, reflecting on the experience of working on and celebrating King Richard. Smith ended his statement on a strong note, admitting that he's "a work in progress."
