Will Smith has apologized for striking presenter Chris Rock at the Academy Awards on Sunday.
Smith described his actions as “unacceptable and inexcusable” in an Instagram post on Monday afternoon.
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
Smith added in his post that, “Violence in all forms is poisonous and destructive.”
He also included in his note an apology to “the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” as well as the family of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams and those involved with the film for which he won his best actor award on Sunday.
“I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,” he wrote. “I am a work in progress.”
Will Smith issued an apology Monday after slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars. The altercation, which was aired on live television, came on Sunday night after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair. She has been outspoken about living with alopecia. pic.twitter.com/K1XYDFxjAF
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 29, 2022