Will Smith Issues Apology To Chris Rock After Slap At The Oscars

Will Smith has officially issued a formal apology to Chris Rock after he slapped the comedian at the 2022 Oscars after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” he writes in an Instagram post Monday evening.

“Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”

Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock after slapping him across the face at the Oscars

He continues, “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

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Smith continues on to apologize to the Academy, and everyone else who witnessed the slap heard around the world. “I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.”

He signs off his post, concluding with, “I am a work in progress.” The incident has been heavily debated online since Sunday night when it happened, with many people siding with Chris Rock, saying there’s no need for violence, and others saying that Rock deserved it, praising Smith for his actions. Smith went on to snag the Best Actor award later that night for his role in the film King Richard, indirectly addressing the incident in his acceptance speech.

“Denzel [Washington] said to me, ‘At your highest moment, be careful — that’s when the devil comes for you,” he said, emotional with tears, then adding, “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to my fellow nominees.”