The 94th edition of the prestigious Academy Awards for Motion Pictures concluded recently (full winners list here) but all one could talk about from the biggest movie event was the 'slap' actor Will Smith placed on presenter Chris Rock. TL;DR Actor Chris Rock took a jibe at Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head by calling her GI Jane 2 (GI Jane is a movie where Demi Moore sported a shaved head) and Jada's husband Will walked upto the stage and slapped Chris Rock for the comment. Will also shouted, "Keep my wife's name out of your f**king mouth."

VIA JAPANESE TELEVISION: The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock pic.twitter.com/j0Z184ZyXa

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 28, 2022

While the internet was torn between criticizing Will Smith for his act of violence, criticizing jokes against medical, body conditions and criticizing the Academy for historically not treating its guests with due respect (The Academy has clarified that the GI Jane bit was an ad-lib by Chris Rock himself and has launched an inquiry into the slap incident), Will Smith went on to issue a direct apology to Chris Rock using a public platform.

The actor accepted that 'violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive', that he was 'out of line and wrong' and that his actions aren't indicative of the man that he wants to be. Explaining that he reacted emotionally, Will Smith stated,

 

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.  
 
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.

Sincerely,

Will

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It is worth mentioning here that this isn't the first time Chris Rock has taken a jibe at Jada Pinkett Smith. Back in 2016, when Jada boycotted the Oscars over lack of black representation and Will Smith not getting a nomination for Concussion (2015), Chris in his opening monologue said, "Jada got mad. Jada said she's not coming, protesting, I'm like isn't she on a TV show? Jada's gonna boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited."