Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Slap at the Academy Awards

Will Smith Officially Apologizes to Chris Rock

After slapping Chris Rock in the face at this past Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony, Oscar-winner Will Smith has issued a public apology to Rock.

When Chris Rock made a joke that left a sour taste in Will Smith’s mouth, the King Richard star, Smith, proceeded to smack Rock in the face. Later on that night, while making his acceptance speech when he won this year’s Oscar for Best Actor, Smith apologized to the Academy for his rather aggressive reaction to Rock’s joke. Now, it has been revealed that Smith has issued an official apology to Rock as well.

Chris Rock made a joke on the program Sunday night that he probably wishes he never made. Rock was originally talking about Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos) and Penelope Cruz (Parallel Mothers) and was joking around when he hysterically said that Bardem “can’t win” if Penelope Cruz loses. Rock then stated that Bardem would probably be wishing Will Smith won Best Actor instead of Bardem, himself. So far, so good. Rock then referenced Jada Pinkett Smith. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until Rock stated he couldn’t wait to see Smith’s wife, Pinkett Smith, in (a non-existent project), G.I. Jane 2. Then, Will Smith walked on to the Oscar stage and slapped Chris Rock rather hard. Smith told Rock to leave Jada’s name out of his mouth. Smith was quite aggressive and dropped the “F” bomb although it was muted on American television.

Later on in the evening, Will Smith tearfully accepted his Oscar for Best Actor and, more or less, talked about how artists are subject to ridicule that they should not be forced to endure. Smith did apologize to the Academy but not Rock Sunday night. However, it has been reported that Smith issued a statement that he is not proud of his somewhat violent, and aggressive behavior which was displayed at the ceremony. He thus apologized to Rock. While Rock did not press charges against Smith for the incident that occurred, little has been heard from the comedic actor since the events which occurred.

While Smith is currently the subject of a nationwide debate over whether or not what he did was at all justified, he is also facing the possibility of having his Oscar taken away from him. However, that scenario seems unlikely to happen at this present time though people are certainly considering potentially “punishing” Smith, artistically speaking, for his behavior.

Jada Pinkett Smith has a condition which causes hair loss which led her to shave her head. It is not clear whether or not Rock was aware of that fact when he made the joke.

Pinkett Smith also issued a brief statement that declared that it’s a time for “healing.” This situation which occurred at the Academy Awards last Sunday night has become the most talked about Oscar moment since Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway incorrectly presented La La Land as the Best Picture of 2016 when it was, indeed, Moonlight.

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