Will Smith
Actor wants to speak to Chris Rock
Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars.
© imago/ZUMA Press
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock around the world. Months later, the actor released an apology video.
About four months after he slapped Chris Rock (57) at the Oscars, Will Smith (53) publicly addresses the comedian and actor. On YouTube, Instagram and Facebook he shared a video on July 29, in which he apologizes to Rock and explains that he offered his colleague an interview.
“I’ve tried reaching out to Chris and what came back is that he’s not ready to talk – and when he is, he’ll be in touch,” says Smith. “So I want to say to you, Chris, I apologize. My behavior was unacceptable and I’ll be here as soon as you’re ready to talk.”
Smith also apologizes to Rock’s family
The actor also addresses Chris Rock’s mother and family in the video. He had not realized how many people he was hurting at that moment. He also apologized to his own wife and children.
Smith said he’s spent the past three months trying to understand “the nuance and complexity” of this moment. “I’m not going to try to unpack it all now, but I can tell you all that no part of me thinks it was the right way to behave in the moment.” Smith had already chosen similar words at the end of March. “I want to publicly apologize to you Chris” he wrote on Instagram, among other things. His behavior was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.
Will Smith attacked Rock on stage in front of cameras in late March after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, losing her hair due to an illness. The actor resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after the scandal. The Academy had also banned Smith from the awards ceremony and other events for the next ten years.