Will Smith issues official apology to Chris Rock for Oscars smacking incident, “I was out of line”

Will Smith has publicly apologized to Chris Rock after what happened at the 2022 Oscars.

On March 28th (local time), Will Smith shared a long post on his personal Instagram, “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.”

At the 94th Academy Awards ceremony held the day before (March 27th), Will Smith went on stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face when Chris Rock made a distasteful joke about the bald head of Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith, knowing she suffers from a hair loss condition called alopecia.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” said Will Smith in his post. He continued, “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.”

He added, “I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees, and everyone watching around the world.”

Last night, after his violent confrontation with Chris Rock on stage, Will Smith won Best Actor for his performance in “King Richards”.

Will Smith’s complete apology is as follows: 

“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.”