Will Smith was pictured in tears while apologizing to the Academy for slapping presenter Chris Rock in the face.
During the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday night, the 53-year-old star of ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air’ stormed the stage and hit host Chris Rock in the face after the latter made a joke at the expense of his wife’s baldness.
Following the physical altercation which left the audience in shock, Smith was consulted by Denzel Washington before issuing an apology while accepting an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in ‘King Richard’.
Speaking of the award, which will forever be stained by his assault on the Academy Awards presenter, Will Smith said:
“In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunganue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met.
“I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses who play Venus and Serena. I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.”
The Men in Black then slowly drew attention to the incident that took place earlier this evening by suggesting he reacted the way he did because he was being disrespected.
“Now I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse. You gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business you have to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you gotta smile and pretend that’s OK,” Smith added.
With tears in his eyes, he continued: “Denzel [Washington] said to me a few minutes ago, he said, ‘At your highest moment, that’s when the devil comes for you.’
“It’s like I want to be a vessel for love. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena Williams … and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story. That’s what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern.”
Before concluding his acceptance speech, Smith issued a heartfelt apology to the Academy and his fellow nominees. He failed to, however, make any mention of Chris Rock or apologize to the presenter for slapping him.
“I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people,” the legendary actor said.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father just like they said … just like they said about Richard Williams. Love will make you do crazy things.
“Thank you, I’m hoping the Academy invites me back.”
Smith’s apology comes moments after he boldly stormed the Oscars stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face over his Jada Pinkett joke.
In an apparent jab at Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss, Rock said: “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.”
While Smith initially laughed off the joke, he stormed the stage while Rock was laughing and slapped the presenter in the face.
“Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me,” the host said in surprise after Smith walked off the stage.
Responding from his seat, Will Smith yelled: “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!”
After Rock insisted that it was all just “a G.I. Jane joke,” the 53-year-old actor once again yelled: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth!”
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