Will Smith returns to Instagram for the first time since the infamous ‘slap heard across the world.’
For the first time in three months, Will Smith returns to social media and is ready to right his wrongs. In a 5-minute video clip, the legendary actor walks us through his healing journey, and the reflection he has done while he was away.
If you can remember, back in March- the 2022 Oscar awards left fans- needless to say- speechless. While Chris Rock was on stage getting ready to present the Oscar for best documentary, the comedian decided to make a few jokes about some of the people in the audience. One of those people, in particular, was Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Rock said to the actress, “Jada, G.I. Jane 2 can’t wait to see it,” presumably referring to the actress’ newly shaved head. It was immediately clear that Will nor his wife Jada did not think that joke was funny, and Will’s next action proved it. The comedian walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face. Many thought that it was scripted until you can see Will say, in an angry tone, “keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth.”
Now- Will Smith has apologized to Chris Rock following the incident via a written statement released to his Instagram account, but now he has more to say.
In the video shared today, Will explains why he didn’t apologize to Chris Rock during his acceptance speech at the Oscars. He says, “I was fogged out by that point. It is all fuzzy. 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.”
He continued, “I want to apologize to Chris’ mother, 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 and 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.”
Watch the full video below.