“I’m Embarrassed”: Will Smith Apologises To Chris Rock For Oscars Slap
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive."
Hey, remember the weekend? Before we were stuck with the collective memory of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock? Ah, we were so young.
But just when you thought the dust might be settling, there’s more: Smith has now apologised to Rock for his behaviour in a new statement on Instagram.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” the statement begins. “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.”
He then apologised to Rock specifically.
“I would like to publicly apologise 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. ”
Smith also reiterated his apologies to the Academy, and everyone who watched the show. That’s us, you guys! Unless you didn’t watch it, in which case, good call.
“I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologise 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.”
Smith finished the apology with: “I am a work in progress”.
Chris Rock has reportedly said he won’t press charges against Will Smith for the incident. See Will’s original Instagram post below:
Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images