Will Smith apologized to Chris Rock, the Academy and the audience after beating the comedian on stage at the 94th Academy Awards, saying he was “out of line” and that his performance “does not reflect the man I want to be”.
Disagreements in Sunday’s program continued Monday as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences criticized Smith’s attack on stage and said it would launch an investigation. Smith apologized to the Academy during his reception for the leading actor, who did not include an apology to Rock.
On Monday, he issued a strong apology and account for his actions, writing on Instagram that he “reacted emotionally” to Rock’s joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has come out in the open with alopecia-related hair loss.
“Violence of all kinds is toxic and destructive,” said Smith. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards is unacceptable and unforgivable. Jokes about my expenses are part of the job, but jokes about Jada’s health status were beyond my control and I reacted emotionally. I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am ashamed and my actions do not reflect the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in the world of love and kindness. ”
Smith added an apology to the film academy, radio producers, attendees, viewers and the Williams family. Smith has been honored for his role as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena.
“I deeply regret that my conduct polluted the trip which was a good one for all of us. I’m a work in progress, ”added Smith.
Rock has not commented on the matter publicly, except when he said on stage, “Wow, wow… Will Smith just ignored me.”
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Hollywood and the community continued to clash at a time that surprised the Dolby Theater crowd and viewers at home. Smith laughed at first, then stepped onto the stage as the comedian joked: “Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, I can’t wait to see you. ”
Smith stepped onto the stage and slapped Rock in the face. Back in his chair, Smith twice shouted at Rock to “get my wife’s name out of your crazy mouth”. Her words echoed throughout Dolby, though the American broadcaster, ABC, cut off the sound for about 15 seconds. Within an hour, Smith had won the lead character.
A few stars hurried to advise and will introduce Smith, including Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper and Tyler Perry. But the timing was unusual because the lead cast would soon be out, and Smith had long been considered a favorite in the award.
In his tearful remarks, Smith did not apologize to Rock, saying, “Love will cause you to do crazy things.”
“I know we are all still thinking, but the way the general violence was committed tonight for the national party will have consequences that we do not yet understand,” wrote Janai Nelson, president and director-general of the NAACP. Legal Defense Fund, on Twitter.
A full meeting of the Academy board of directors was called on Wednesday evening to discuss the incident, according to a Hollywood journalist. In addition to the review, the film higher education institute said it would “evaluate other actions and consequences in accordance with our laws, ethics and California law”.
The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday said it was aware of the incident but had not yet investigated because Rock had refused to report the matter to police.
The drama brought us some historical success at the Oscars. Coda family drama drama has become the first film with many deaf characters to win the most beautiful picture. For the first time, the broadcasting service, Apple TV +, took on a high Hollywood reputation, signaling a major change in Hollywood and the film’s departure.
Ariana DeBose became the first LGBTQ woman to win a leading supporting character, with her role in West Side Story. Coda actor Troy Kotsur became the first deaf male actor to win an Oscar. And Jane Campion became the third female filmmaker to win the lead director of The Power of the Dog.