Will Smith is finally addressing his slapping of Chris Rock onstage at the 2022 Oscars. In a just-released video, the actor spoke emotionally and candidly about a few aspects of the now-infamous incident. He answers specific questions about his behavior that night, including why he didn't apologize during his Oscar acceptance speech for his performance in King Richard, which occurred just minutes after the slap occurred.
“I was fogged out by that point. It is all fuzzy," says Smith in the clip. "I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that, he’s not ready to talk. When he is, he will reach out. I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I am here whenever you are ready to talk. I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I saw an interview [she] did, and that was one of the things I just didn’t realize. I wasn’t thinking, but how many people got hurt in that moment. I want to apologize to Chris’ mother."
And he mentioned his damaged friendship with Rock's brother, comedian Tony Rock. "I want to apologize to Chris’s family, specifically Tony Rock. We had a great relationship. Tony Rock was my man. This is probably irreparable. I spent the last three months replaying an understanding the nuance and complexity of what happened in that moment. I’m not going to try to unpack all of that right now, but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. No part of me that thinks that is the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insult.”
