Will Smith delivered the slap heard and seen around the world by millions. Will Smith walked on stage during the Oscars ceremony, opened his palm, and slapped the daylights out of Chris Rock.
Smith has been forced to apologize to the legendary comedian for his action. And now, his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, has decided to react to the controversial incident.
Taken to her official Instagram page, Jada Pinkett Smith shared an uplifting message about healing.
The actress wrote: “This is a season for healing, and I’m here for it.”
Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair during Sunday night’s ceremony.
The comedian said: “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it, all right?”
The mother of two recently shaved her head bald as she battles alopecia.
The jab did not sit well with Will Smith, who marched on stage and smacked Chris Rock.
Like the script of a movie, Will Smith won the Best Actor gong moments after the viral slap.
The filmmaker apologized to the Academy for his behavior by saying that he was protecting his family.
With tears in his eyes, Smith stated: “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people,” said Smith during his acceptance speech after winning his first-ever Oscar. “I know to do what we do, you’ve got to be able to take abuse. You’ve got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you’ve got to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you’ve got to smile and pretend like that’s OK.”
Smith has since issued a lengthy statement on his Instagram page where he addressed the matter and apologized publicly to Rock.
Smith said: “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.”
Chris Rock has yet to respond.
