Will Smith has apologized to Chris Rock, the Academy and viewers after he slapped the presenter and comedian at the Academy Awards on Sunday March 27.
The day after the 94th Academy Awards and the slap affair, Will Smith posted a message of apology on his Instagram account.
The comedian, who received the Oscar for best actor for his role in The Williams Method, 20 minutes after slapping Chris Rock for his joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut, himself describes his behavior as “unacceptable and inexcusable“.
As a reminder, the actress has alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss. At the ceremony, Chris Rock told Jada Pinkett Smith that he was looking forward to seeing GI Jane 2, the fictional sequel to Ridley Scott’s film in which Demi Moore has a shaved head. Will Smith couldn’t stand the thought and slapped the presenter, asking him not to say his wife’s name.
Will Smith therefore apologizes to Chris Rock, the Academy, participants and spectators around the world.
“Violence in any form is toxic and destructive. My behavior at the Oscars last night was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s condition was too much. hard for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
I want to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I overstepped the mark and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions are not representative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
I also want to apologize to the Academy, the producers, all the participants and all the viewers around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams family and The Williams Method film crew. I deeply regret that my behavior tainted what has been a magnificent journey for all of us.
I work on myself.
Truly,
Will”
The American comedian had previously apologized to the Academy and his co-nominees during his acceptance speech: “Art imitates life. Richard Williams was said to be a crazy dad and I feel the same way. But love drives you crazy.”
Will Smith / Chris Rock: the story behind the Oscars slap?
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor added: “I know that when you do your job, you have to be able to put up with jokes, rumours, lies. When you’re an actor, you have to be able to manage that some people don’t respect you. You always have to look good.
But as Denzel Washington told me a few minutes ago, it’s when you’re at the top that you’re most in danger, that’s when the Devil comes to grab you. I want to be a symbol of love.”
Backgrid UK/ Bestimage
Will Smith during his acceptance speech
An “out of body” moment
The magazine People interviewed a source close to the Smith couple who said: “It was very impulsive, and at the time, he was protecting his family. (…) Jada was the only thing that worried him. He didn’t even consider the ramifications or the shocking aspect his gesture would have on people. He just wanted to protect herr.”
“People who are closest to him know that was not the solution, and that violence cannot be resorted to. It was an out of body moment for him.“ continues the source.
The Academy reportedly considered removing Will Smith from the show
For its part, the Academy condemned the actions of Will Smith and specified in a press release “We have begun a formal investigation into the incident and will explore actions and consequences consistent with our policies, standards of conduct and California law..”
CNN claims that the leaders of the Academy have “strongly consideredto remove Will Smith from the show.
Discussions would have taken place immediately after the unfortunate gesture of the comedian, but the decision-makers of the Academy were seated in different places of the Dolby Theater and did not “couldn’t rally to make a decision before Will Smith won Best Actor“.
The Academy of Oscars should therefore soon announce sanctions against Will Smith.
Will Smith’s speech at the Oscars