Will Smith.Photo: BackgridWill Smithis back to business.The actor, 53, was spotted on set for the first time since he slappedChris Rockat theAcademy Awardsin March — in Ecuador, to film the National Geographic/Disney+ seriesWelcome to Earth.Smith was photographed in the South American nation on Thursday, specifically in Alausí, a town in Ecuador’s Chimborazo province.In one snap, Smith is seen aboard the La Nariz del Diablo train wearing a long-sleeved shirt and baseball cap, blowing a kiss to fans through the window.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Will Smith.Pablo Cuadra/WireImageDuring the March 27 Oscars broadcast, Smith walked onstage and struck Rock, 57, after a joke the comedian made about Smith’s wifeJada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. (The actress, 50,lives with alopecia.)The slap led to months of fallout for the Best Actor winner, whoresigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and wasbanned from attending Academy eventsfor 10 years.TheKing Richardstar apologized to Rockin a statement on Instagramthe following day before posting an apology video on his social media accounts July 29, explaining that night and apologizing directly to Rock and his family.“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out,” Smith said. “So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m herewhenever you’re ready to talk.“RELATED VIDEO:Will SmithApologizes to Chris Rock in New Video: “I’m Here Whenever You’re Ready to Talk"Rock reportedly said on Sunday that he declined an invitation to host the 2023 Academy Awards after the infamous slap, comparing going back to the Oscars to returning to the scene of a crime, according to theArizona Republic.While discussing the hosting offer during a comedy set in Phoenix, the comedian made a reference to the 1995 murder trial ofO.J. Simpson, noting it would be like asking the lateNicole Brown Simpson"to go back to the restaurant” whereher mother had left a pair of glassesthe night of her death.Rock reportedly said that Smith’s slap itself hurt, referencing the actor’s turn asMuhammed Aliin the 2001 movieAliand explaining, “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me andWill Smith.“The comedian — who previously hostedthe Oscarsin 2005 and 2016 — added that he also turned down the opportunity to appear in aSuper Bowlad following the slapping incident.
Will Smith.Photo: Backgrid
Will Smithis back to business.The actor, 53, was spotted on set for the first time since he slappedChris Rockat theAcademy Awardsin March — in Ecuador, to film the National Geographic/Disney+ seriesWelcome to Earth.Smith was photographed in the South American nation on Thursday, specifically in Alausí, a town in Ecuador’s Chimborazo province.In one snap, Smith is seen aboard the La Nariz del Diablo train wearing a long-sleeved shirt and baseball cap, blowing a kiss to fans through the window.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Will Smith.Pablo Cuadra/WireImageDuring the March 27 Oscars broadcast, Smith walked onstage and struck Rock, 57, after a joke the comedian made about Smith’s wifeJada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. (The actress, 50,lives with alopecia.)The slap led to months of fallout for the Best Actor winner, whoresigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and wasbanned from attending Academy eventsfor 10 years.TheKing Richardstar apologized to Rockin a statement on Instagramthe following day before posting an apology video on his social media accounts July 29, explaining that night and apologizing directly to Rock and his family.“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out,” Smith said. “So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m herewhenever you’re ready to talk.“RELATED VIDEO:Will SmithApologizes to Chris Rock in New Video: “I’m Here Whenever You’re Ready to Talk"Rock reportedly said on Sunday that he declined an invitation to host the 2023 Academy Awards after the infamous slap, comparing going back to the Oscars to returning to the scene of a crime, according to theArizona Republic.While discussing the hosting offer during a comedy set in Phoenix, the comedian made a reference to the 1995 murder trial ofO.J. Simpson, noting it would be like asking the lateNicole Brown Simpson"to go back to the restaurant” whereher mother had left a pair of glassesthe night of her death.Rock reportedly said that Smith’s slap itself hurt, referencing the actor’s turn asMuhammed Aliin the 2001 movieAliand explaining, “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me andWill Smith.“The comedian — who previously hostedthe Oscarsin 2005 and 2016 — added that he also turned down the opportunity to appear in aSuper Bowlad following the slapping incident.
Will Smithis back to business.
The actor, 53, was spotted on set for the first time since he slappedChris Rockat theAcademy Awardsin March — in Ecuador, to film the National Geographic/Disney+ seriesWelcome to Earth.
Smith was photographed in the South American nation on Thursday, specifically in Alausí, a town in Ecuador’s Chimborazo province.
In one snap, Smith is seen aboard the La Nariz del Diablo train wearing a long-sleeved shirt and baseball cap, blowing a kiss to fans through the window.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Will Smith.Pablo Cuadra/WireImage
During the March 27 Oscars broadcast, Smith walked onstage and struck Rock, 57, after a joke the comedian made about Smith’s wifeJada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. (The actress, 50,lives with alopecia.)
The slap led to months of fallout for the Best Actor winner, whoresigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and wasbanned from attending Academy eventsfor 10 years.
TheKing Richardstar apologized to Rockin a statement on Instagramthe following day before posting an apology video on his social media accounts July 29, explaining that night and apologizing directly to Rock and his family.
“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out,” Smith said. “So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m herewhenever you’re ready to talk.”
RELATED VIDEO:Will SmithApologizes to Chris Rock in New Video: “I’m Here Whenever You’re Ready to Talk”
Rock reportedly said on Sunday that he declined an invitation to host the 2023 Academy Awards after the infamous slap, comparing going back to the Oscars to returning to the scene of a crime, according to theArizona Republic.
While discussing the hosting offer during a comedy set in Phoenix, the comedian made a reference to the 1995 murder trial ofO.J. Simpson, noting it would be like asking the lateNicole Brown Simpson"to go back to the restaurant” whereher mother had left a pair of glassesthe night of her death.
Rock reportedly said that Smith’s slap itself hurt, referencing the actor’s turn asMuhammed Aliin the 2001 movieAliand explaining, “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me andWill Smith.”
The comedian — who previously hostedthe Oscarsin 2005 and 2016 — added that he also turned down the opportunity to appear in aSuper Bowlad following the slapping incident.
source: people.com
