Topline
Will Smith addressed slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars four months ago for the first time Friday in a YouTube video, apologizing to Rock, his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, his fellow nominees and his fans over the incident, saying that “‘I’m Sorry’ isn’t really sufficient.’”
Will Smith accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for “King Richard” onstage during the 94th … [+]
Key Facts
Smith said he’s reached out to Rock and was told “he’s not ready to talk” yet, telling Rock his behavior “was unacceptable,” and also apologized to Rock’s family members who were affected by the altercation.
Smith said he didn’t apologize to Rock later in the evening when he won the Best Actor award because “I was fogged out by that point, it’s all fuzzy.”
Smith denied that Pinkett-Smith, who Rock made fun of before Smith hit him, instructed him to slap the comedian, as many on social media had speculated, saying he made the choice “on his own.”
The Oscar winner also apologized to his family “for the heat that I brought on all of us.”
Smith apologized to his “fellow nominees” for having “stolen and tarnished” your moment, particularly Questlove, who accepted an award directly after the incident.
The Fresh Prince star said he’s trying to heal from the incident, and is working to “be remorseful without being ashamed of myself.”
Crucial Quote
“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment,” Smith said.
Key Background
At the Oscars ceremony in March, Rock joked about Pinkett-Smith’s bald head while presenting an award. Smith, who was seated near the stage, jumped up and slapped Rock, while shouting at him to “keep my wife’s name out your f–king mouth.” Smith was not removed from the ceremony, and later won an award for his performance in King Richard, his first Oscar. Rock declined to press charges, and hasn’t addressed the incident at-length publicly, aside from a few remarks during stand-up performances. Smith apologized for the slap through written statements and has stayed out of the spotlight since. He resigned as a member of the Academy, and was barred by the group from attending events, like future awards ceremonies, for the next 10 years. Pinkett-Smith, who suffers from alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss, dedicated several episodes of her show Red Table Talk to the condition in June.
Tangent
Rock joked about the incident this week during a stand-up set. “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” he said. “I’m not a victim. Yeah, that s—t hurt, motherf—ker. But I shook that s— off and went to work the next day. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut.”
Further Reading
Jada Pinkett Smith Launches Alopecia Special On ‘Red Table Talk’ After Oscars Slap (Forbes)
Will Smith Banned From Oscars For 10 Years (Forbes)
Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’ Delayed: Here’s Where His Projects Stand After Oscars Slap (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/07/29/will-smith-speaks-out-for-first-time-on-oscars-slap-im-sorry-isnt-really-sufficient/