Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock for ‘unacceptable’ behavior after Oscars slap

The New York Post
By Bernie Zilio

Will Smith has apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday night.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” the Best Actor winner wrote on Instagram Monday afternoon. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards as unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about my Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”

Smith rushed the stage and socked the comedian for making a joke about his wife — who suffers from alopecia — about being bald.

“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” Smith wrote in his statement. “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 went on to apologize to “the Academy, producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” as well as to “the Williams Family and my King Richards Family.”

“I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,” he concluded. “I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will.”

After Smith returned to his seat, he screamed multiple times at Rock to “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth.”