After taking a day to recoup from the madness of the 2022 Academy Awards, Will Smith has issued an apology to Chris Rock for slapping him on stage as he presented the award for Best Documentary Feature.
Smith — who won the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard that same night — took to Instagram last night (March 28) to publicly apologize to Rock, writing that he regrets his behaviour and is a "work in progress."
Smith slapped Rock after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett-Smith's hair. Pinkett-Smith, Smith's wife, has been open about her struggle with alopecia. Reportedly, Rock was not aware of her medical condition prior to making a G.I. Jane joke.
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," wrote Smith.
He continued:
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. 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.
Smith previously apologized for his actions during his tearful Best Actor acceptance speech, but failed to mention Rock.
See the full apology below, and catch up on the best and worst moments of the 2022 Academy Awards.
Smith — who won the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard that same night — took to Instagram last night (March 28) to publicly apologize to Rock, writing that he regrets his behaviour and is a "work in progress."
Smith slapped Rock after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett-Smith's hair. Pinkett-Smith, Smith's wife, has been open about her struggle with alopecia. Reportedly, Rock was not aware of her medical condition prior to making a G.I. Jane joke.
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," wrote Smith.
He continued:
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. 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.
Smith previously apologized for his actions during his tearful Best Actor acceptance speech, but failed to mention Rock.
See the full apology below, and catch up on the best and worst moments of the 2022 Academy Awards.