Hollywood star Will Smith created a sensational controversy on live television during the 94th Academy Awards on March 28, 2022. The actor slapped e host and comedian Chris Rock on stage in front of a live audience after the he joked about Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident triggered a debate online while discussing if Will was right while defending his wife or the comedian was just doing his job. However, a day after the incident, Will Smith issued an apology to the comedian, the audience and the academy while confessing that he was out of line and hat his actions were not indicative of the man he wants to be.
The incident held at the Dolby Theatre hocked the crowd and the viewers, who first thought that it is a staged act. On the other hand the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and criticized the act of Smith for slapping Chris on stage and added that they would launch an inquiry in to the incident. Will Smith on the same day had given out a stronger apology as he accepted his award for Best Actor but that did not include an apology towards Rock.
Smith in his statement released by his publicist and posted on Instagram, explained that violence in any form is destructive and poisonous and added that his behavior at the Academy Awards was inexcusable and unacceptable. The statement also mentioned that he is aware of the fact that jokes are a part of the job but the joke about his wife’s medical condition was too much or him to bear.
Smith then apologized in his statement to Chris and added that he was embarrassed for his actions and that there is no place for violence in a world of kindness and love. While recalling yesterday’s incident, Smith had climbed up the stage and slapped Chris for cracking a joke on his wife.
Photo Credits: Will Smith Official Instagram account