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- Will Smith took a swing at Chris Rock during the Oscars on Sunday night.
- The Best Actor winner took offense to a joke that Rock made about his wife Jada Pinkett.
- Smith took to Instagram on Monday evening to apologize to various people, including Rock.
Not even 24 hours after smacking Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, Will Smith has taken to Instagram to post a public apology to Chris Rock, the Academy, the Williams family, and the team behind King Richard.
Smith explained that while he’s aware being scrutinized is part of his job, Rock’s joke about his wife’s shaved head — which is a result of her struggles with alopecia — sent him over the edge.
Will Smith posts a public apology to Chris Rock on social media
“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,” Smith wrote on Instagram.
“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. I am a work in progress.”
Despite Smith’s swing at Rock, the actor remained in his seat in the front row and eventually took home the prize for Best Actor for his performance as Richard Williams in King Richard.
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