Will Smith apologizes for slapping incident at The Oscars

Will Smith has issued an apology a day after slapping comedian Chris Rock at The 94th Academy Awards.

Will Smith apologizes

Smith posted to his social media, saying he apologized to Rock, the audience, viewers, and The Academy for his behavior saying he was “out of line” and that his actions are “not indicative of the man I want to be.”

The apology comes after The Academy condemned Smith’s onstage assault and said it would launch an inquiry into it.

Read the apology below:

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

Smith shocked The Oscars audience and viewers at home when he took the stage during Rock’s remarks after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith’s wife. Rock said, “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.”

The joke struck a nerve. Pinkett Smith, whose head is shaved, has been outspoken about her alopecia diagnosis and emotional struggles dealing with the autoimmune disease.

Smith went on stage and slapped Rock across the face. Back in his seat, Smith twice shouted for Rock to “get my wife’s name out your (f—ing) mouth.”

Within an hour, Smith won best actor. During his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the academy.