Will Smith has apologized for slapping comedian Chris Rock in the face during the Oscars. Posting a statement on Instagram and Facebook, Smith said his “behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable”.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong,” wrote Smith. “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.”
“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,” he added.
Smith also apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which hosts the Oscars, to the attendees, the audience watching and the team behind the film King Richard, including the Williams family during his acceptance speech for Best Actor, roughly 30 minutes after slapping Rock on live television.
“I want to apologize to the Academy,” Smith said. “I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people. Tim and Trevor and Zack and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of ‘King Richard,’ Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams.”
Smith slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, starring in a fictional sequel to the 1997 film G.I. Jane. Pinkett Smith, who announced several years ago that she has alopecia – an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss – shaves her head. After returning to his seat, Smith yelled at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of you’re f***ing mouth.”
Smith’s action has caused major debates online as to whether or not the actor was out of line. The Academy has since condemned his action and have “officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.”
The Academy’s board has the authority to suspend or expel members who violate the code of conduct. Actress Whoopi Goldberg, who serves on the Academy’s Board of Directors, said “There will be consequences, I’m sure,” but also stated they would not strip Smith of his award.
It was not clear what punishment Smith might face. Rock has declined to press charges.
Don’t judge a book by its cover, for behind all this makeup, is a geek just like you. To simply put it, superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter and all things gore and creepy makes this girly girl swoon.
Natalie
