Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock a day after Oscars slap: 'I was out of line and I was wrong

[Peacetrain]

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/will-smith-apologizes-to-chris-rock-a-day-after-oscars-slap-001719025.html

"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," Smith wrote on Instagram. "Jokes at my expense are 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 are not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."

As Pinkett Smith has noted in the past, she struggles with alopecia.

"I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world," Smith continued. "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."

He signed it, "sincerely, Will."

That is the best anyone can do .. Chris Rock was insensitive.. Will Smith screwed up royally.. hopefully it will not hurt either of them long term.

[SunSeeker]

1. Glad he came to his senses. But it sucks that this consumed so much of the news cycle. nt

[Peacetrain]

2. Agree.. and the reaction to the deaf actor in CODA was lost in the hubbub

sigh

[SunSeeker]

3. Yes, Troy Kotsur deserved the spotlight last night, but didn't get it. nt

[Peacetrain]

4. My brother is deaf.. and to see that audience sign

brought tears to my eyes.. and to know his father cannot sign anymore because of an accident was so heartbreaking..

[SunSeeker]

5. ...

[BigmanPigman]

6. I have lost all respect for him.

If he were really sorry he would have said it last night instead of dancing to his own songs at a Vanity Fair party afterwards. He isn't sorry to Chris either or he would have apoligized to him last night. He blew it and I hope his career dives.

[exboyfil]

7. Nice writing by the publicist

True repentance would be pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery and taking your fine/community service. I don't care if Chris Rock doesn't want to press charges, we were all damaged by Will Smith's behavior. Showing that he answered for it would be a powerful message.

Apologies especially ones given the next day and most likely written by someone else are meaningless in my mind. We spend too much time worrying about if someone apologized and not enough time wondering if those truly answer for what they did.

I honestly think it would be better for Will Smith's career to plead to assault and battery. If the most powerful are held to account, then the rest of us can hopefully see some level of justice.

[kysrsoze]

8. Too much for him to bear b/c he was laughing so hard?

We saw the video. This was about face-saving with his wife and trying to fees his bruised ego.

[FreeState]

9. Best anyone can do? Seriously?

How about he give back his Oscar or donate his time and money towards ending violence? There’s a ton of work to do there - he ain’t done squat to rectify his actions. He taught millions of impressionable viewers that violence is okay if you say whoops. Apologies are just a start of a process of making things right.

[RussBLib]

10. takes a big man to apologize

Rock should also apologize too, if he hasn't already.

[jalan48]

11. I'm a Will Smith fan but I think he needs to get banned from attending any more Oscars.

[Chautauquas]

12. Kind of funny in one way

Will Smith is now disagreeing with everyone who's been saying he wasn't wrong to hit Rock.