A day after the viral slap during the 94th Academy Awards, actor Will Smith issued an apology to comedian Chris Rock, to the Academy and to the viewers. In a moment that shocked Hollywood and the audience at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Smith had rushed up to the Oscar stage and slapped Rock after the comedian cracked a joke about the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett-Smith.
In his emotional acceptance speech after winning the best actor Oscar, Smith and apologised to the Academy. However, he didn't name Rock or apologise to him.
In an official apology he later shared on his social media handles, Smith said his behaviour was ‘unacceptable and inexcusable’.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. 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 apologise 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,” he said.
He addded: "I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologise 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. I am a work in progress."
After the ceremony concluded on Monday, the official Twitter handle of AMPAS posted a brief statement, saying, "The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."
-with PTI inputs
