Will Smith apologises to Chris Rock for Oscars slap, as Academy launches ‘formal review’
- The actor called his own conduct ‘unacceptable and inexcusable’, saying that he had ‘reacted emotionally’
- Smith’s actions will be under ‘formal review’ by the Academy after he struck the comedian over a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith
Will Smith apologised on Monday to Chris Rock for hitting the comedian during the live broadcast of the glitzy Oscar ceremony in Hollywood.
“I would like to publicly apologise 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,” the actor wrote on Instagram.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith said in his apology.
“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.”
The apology came after the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences said earlier the same day that it condemns Smith’s actions and will launch a formal review of his slapping of Rock, who was presenting the ceremony.
