Los Angeles, March 29 : Will Smith has apologised to Oscars presenter Chris Rock for slapping him at the event, saying his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable”. Posting a message on Instagram on Monday, Will said, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour 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.” During the Sunday night event at the Dolby Theatres, he had physically smacked presenter Chris Rock on the head for making the ill-advised joke about his wife Jada Pinkett’s alopecia. Rock joked that she was set to make GI Jane 2 next, which led Smith to rush up on stage and try to hit Rock. Smith then told him not to use his wife’s name. Smith, went up on stage just to put the message across, as Rock body-shamed the “Aladdin” actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. He was then calmed down by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry. The clip was apparently not viewed by US audiences, but was broadcast in Japan and Australia, from where it went viral. In the letter, Smith apologised to Chris Rock saying he was “out of line” and “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.” ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ actor also apologised to the Academy, producers, the attendees and all viewers for his behaviour. He said, “I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. “I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.” Prior to Smith’s apology, the organisation behind the Oscars said in a statement that it “condemns the actions” of Smith, BBC reported. It said, “We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”
with agency inputs
