Will Smith, the Hollywood star who shocked his fans and the film industry by slapping Chris Rock in the middle of the Oscars, released a video on Friday in which he offers an emotional apology to the comedian.
The actor from “Men in Black” and “Independence Day” had already apologized through a statement the day after the unusual event, which overshadowed the entire Oscar gala on March 27. Despite this, the American Film Academy banned him from attending its awards for the next 10 years, and Smith resigned his membership, although the organization did not revoke his best actor statuette for “The Williams Way.”
Exact Incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock
Now Smith delves into his feelings. “I contacted Chris and the message he got back to me was that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he’ll get back to me,” he said in the nearly six-minute video shared on social media.
“So I’m telling you, Chris, I apologize. My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk,” added Smith, who is wearing a white cap and sitting in an armchair surrounded by plants.
He also apologized to Chris Rock’s mother and brother, as well as his own family, including his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. A joke by Chris Rock about her shaved head, which was suffering from alopecia, was precisely what triggered the scandal that night.
Smith suddenly came on stage and slapped Chris Rock under the astonished gaze of celebrities and spectators.
Returning to his seat, the 53-year-old actor yelled at him: “Keep my wife’s name out of your fu*king mouth!”
“I’ve spent the last three months reviewing and understanding the nuances and difficulties of what happened” that day, Will Smith said in the video of him.
“I’m not going to try to analyze everything now, but I can tell you that no part of me thinks that was the right way to behave at the time,” he said.
He “deeply” regretted disappointing his fans, adding, “I’m trying to feel regret without being ashamed of myself.”
“I’m human and I made a mistake, and I try to think that I’m not a piece of shit,” he concluded.
