Will Smith posted a video in which he opened up about his decision to slap Chris Rock during the 2022Oscarsceremony, expressing remorse over his actions.
For those who may have forgotten,Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscarsduring the live broadcast, walking up onto the stage to hit the comedian after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Because Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, she was clearly not amused by the joke, which seemingly prompted Will Smith to respond the way he did, a decision that became all viewers could talk about during the remainder of theOscarsceremony.
RELATED:Terry Crews Says Chris Rock’s Composure ‘Saved Hollywood’ After Will Smith’s Oscar Slap
The day after the event, Will Smith posted an Instagram apology to Chris Rock and everyone involved in the Oscars ceremony, including viewers at home, for his actions. Now, Smith has directly answered questions about the incident from the internet in a roughly five-minute video on his official YouTube page, with his first response addressing why he didn’t apologize to Chris Rock during his acceptance speech after winning the Best Actor award forhis performance inKing Richard. “I was fogged out by that point. It is all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that, he’s not ready to talk. When he is, he will reach out. I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I am here whenever you are ready to talk,” he explained. Smith also apologized to Chris Rock’s family, including his mother and father, admitting that he didn’t think about how many people would be hurt by his decision to slap Chris Rock and that his previously strong relationship with Chris Rock’s father, Tony Rock, was likely “irreparable” at this point.
Because Will Smith had seemingly laughed at Chris Rock’s joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head at first, many assumedJada Pinkett Smith’s reactionhad prompted Will Smith to make the decision to slap Chris Rock on stage. However, Will Smith took responsibility for his own actions and made it clear that Jada Pinkett Smith had not urged him to respond to Chris Rock’s joke. “No. I made a choice on my own, from my own experience, and my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it,” Smith said. “I’m sorry, babe, and I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us.”
Will Smith also apologizedto his fellow Oscars nominees for tarnishing their own victories that night, as much of the conversation online and reportedly at the ceremony was dominated by the slap for the remainder of the night. He offered a specific apology to Questlove, who won the award for Best Documentary Feature right after Smith slapped Rock, saying, “I am sorry isn’t really sufficient.”
The video concluded with Will Smith saying that disappointing people is his “central trauma” and that he’s “deeply remorseful” while trying not to be ashamed of himself. With his final words on the matter, at least in this video, Will Smith stated that he is still committed to putting light, love, and joy out into the world and said, “If you hang on, I promise we will be able to be friends again.”
