Will Smith was all over the internet yesterday. Not because he had just won his first-ever Oscar after three decades of working in films. But because he slapped host Chris Rock over an insensitive joke that was targetted toward’s his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s medical condition – alopecia.
During his Oscars acceptance speech, Will Smith had apologized to The Academy and his fellow nominees for his actions. But he didn’t apologize to Chris Rock. Rock, on the other hand, refused to file any charges against the ‘King Richard’ actor.
However, Will Smith has now issued a public apology online. Addressing Chris Rock, The Academy, and his colleagues, Will expressed that he was “wrong” and “embarrassed”.
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Saying that a joke directed at Jada’s medical condition was too much for him to bear, 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.”
Apologizing to Chris Rock directly, he agreed that he was “out of line” and that there is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
“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.”
He then went on to apologize to The Academy and his colleagues, calling himself a “work in progress”.
“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.”
Have a look at his full post here:
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Apologizing is always the first step. We hope Will Smith does better in the future.