Veteran American actor, Will Smith has tendered a public apology to comedian Chris Rock for slapping him at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday March 27.
Will Smith was seen to have suddenly sprang up from his seat and stormed the Oscars stage to hit Chris Rock after the presenter made a joke about Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut.
Rock, a comedian, compared Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair to that of G. I. Jane’s, who has a shaved head.
Pinkett Smith suffers from hair loss condition alopecia. Pinkett Smith has been grappling with hair loss since revealing her alopecia diagnosis in 2018.
Will Smith’s outburst was widely greeted with backlash as many condemned him for his inability to control his emotions.
He initially apologised on state while receiving his very first Oscar award. He tendered his apology to his friends, fans and the Oscar Academy but not Chris Rock.
READ: Will Smith Apologises for Slapping Chris Rock at 2022Oscar (video)
Last night, he personally posted a public apology to Rock via his social media pages.
Smith said that his “behaviour was unacceptable and inexcusable” as he was out of line. He added that he is embarrassed and his actions were not indicative of the man he wants to be.
Will Smith wrote: 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 apologize 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.
I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize 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.
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