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.
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.
Sincerely,
Will
During the Oscar event, Chris made a joke about the hairstyle of Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith that referenced the movie ‘G.I. Jane’ in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head.
Jada is suffering from alopecia and the joke did not appear to sit well with her.
In what seemed like scripted joke, Smith strode out on stage and slapped Chris, the comedian staggered and exclaimed ‘wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me.’
Smith, back in his seat, shouted ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.’
Few minutes after striking Chris, with an open hand live on stage, Smith won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father who raised tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard.
Accepting the award, Smith issued a tearful apology for his emotional outburst to the Academy and fellow nominees but not to Chris, saying: ‘I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment.’
He also revealed what Washington had told him during the commercial break: ‘ Be careful at your highest moment… that’s when the devil comes for you.’
