Chris Rock Responds to Will Smith’s Oscars Slap
On March 27, 2022, during the live television broadcast of the 94th Academy Awards, actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face as he presented the Award for Best Documentary. Just before, Rock had acknowledged Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, with a joke about her shaved head. Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia areata, was seated next to Smith and did not appear amused. Smith then walked onto the stage and slapped Rock before returning to his seat and shouting at the comedian, including the use of profanity. Rock briefly commented on the incident and then continued the ceremony. Later in the ceremony, Smith went on to win the Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of tennis coach Richard Williams in the film King Richard. In his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the Academy and to his colleagues, but not to Rock.
In the United States, most of the audio of the confrontation was muted by broadcaster ABC due to federal laws, but uncensored video footage from international broadcasters was posted online and quickly went viral, rapidly accumulating tens of millions of views across multiple platforms. The incident prompted widespread commentary, discussion and debate. The following day, Smith issued an apology to Rock and the Academy via Instagram and Facebook. Smith resigned his membership in the Academy on April 1, 2022, amid facing a potential suspension or expulsion from the organization.
What remains unsettled after Will Smith’s slap
es, Will Smith has since shared a public apology to Chris Rock via Instagram – one day on from the altercation. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” he wrote. “I was out of line and I was wrong. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
He went on to further apologise to the Academy and his fellow acting nominees. Reiterating the same apology he shared on the night when accepting his award for Best Actor – 15 minutes after the altercation with Chris Rock.
Looking visibly tearful, he shared: “I want to apologise to the Academy.
I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment.”
Though he immediately apologised to the Academy and audience, he failed to mention Chris. Or issue an apology to him at the time.
THE END
The 53-year-old won for the award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, in the film King Richard. It tells the tale of Serena and Venus Williams and the tennis stars’ upbringing.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith continued. In this time in my life, in this moment I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do. He added that “Love makes you do crazy things. Seemingly in reference to his behaviour and offering an explanation as to why he slapped Chris Rock.
