Venus WilliamsandSerena Williams' father has addressedWill SmithsmackingChris Rockat the 94thAcademy Awardson Sunday night.
“We don’t know all the details of what happened,” Richard Williams' son and spokesperson Chavoita LeSane told NBC News on Richard’s behalf. “But we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defense.”
LeSane added that Richard, 80, was shocked to see Smith, 53, hit Rock, 57, after the comedian made a joke aboutJada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head before presenting an award at the ceremony.
Later in the evening, Will won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Richard in the critically acclaimed filmKing Richard.
Mike Marsland/WireImage; Uri Schanker/GC Images
During his acceptance speech Sunday night, Smith compared himself to hisKing Richardcharacter, who was a “fierce defender of his family.” He apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees while on stage, but did not personally apologize to Rock.
On Monday, Smithissued a formal apologyto Rockvia his Instagram, writing, “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.”
He added, “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.”
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The moment unfolded as Rock was presenting the award for Best Documentary. He said: “Jada, I love ya.G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” referencing her shaved head. Pinkett Smith has embraced the haircut after recently opening up aboutliving with alopecia, a condition that causes rapid hair loss.
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Smith then walked onto the stage and struck Rock in the face. “Oh wow,” said a seemingly taken-aback Rock as Will made his way back to the audience. “Will Smithjust smacked the s— out of me.”
“Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!” Smith yelled up to the stage at Rock after taking his seat again.
“Wow, dude, it was aG.I. Janejoke,” said Rock — to which Smith replied once again, “Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!”
“I’m going to, okay?” Rock replied, before going on to say, “That was the … greatest night in the history of television” and presenting the award.
In a statement shared Monday afternoon, the Academy denounced Smith’s “actions,” adding in part: “We haveofficially started a formal reviewaround the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”
source: people.com
