For the first time in four months, Will Smith issued an almost six-minute apologetic video in response to the “slap heard around the world” incident at the 94th Academy Awards in March. After presenter Chris Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith that was deemed offensive, Smith stormed the stage, striking Rock in the face. Smith stayed on stage for the remainder of the night and even accepted his award for Best Actor. Using the phrase “It’s been a minute…,” Smith attempts to make up for his misdeeds in the video. Smith began by explaining why he didn’t apologise to Rock for his involvement in King Richard in his award speech. Smith stated he was “fogged out” at that point and that the rest of the trip was a blur. “I’ve tried to get in touch with Chris, but he’s not yet ready to chat, and he’ll get back to me when he is.”
As a final act of repentance, he apologised personally to Rock, reaffirming that his conduct had been inappropriate. When Rosalie Rock went out publicly in April against Smith, she said publicly, “When he slapped Chris, he smacked all of us,” Smith apologised to her and to Rock’s family as well. His concern for the “irreparability” of the connection between Rock and his brother, Tony Rock, prompted him to speak directly to Tony Rock himself. Smith’s original apologies received the most criticism from Tony. Smith responded to Pinkett Smith’s assertions that he was requested to do anything about Rock’s joke after lengthy apologies to Rock and his family. As an apparent jab at Pinkett Smith’s baldness, Rock called her “G.I. Jane.” Smith looked over to her and some thought she had ordered him to confront Rock on stage because of her smirk at the jab. While pretending to be inconsolable, Smith tells the camera, “It’s time to put those rumours to rest.” “My decision was based on my personal experiences and my past with Chris, not on the advice of anybody else.
It was all done without Jada’s involvement. Sorry, honey. I’d want to apologise to my children and the rest of my family for the discomfort I’ve caused.” “The Slap” not only took away from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Oscar triumph for Summer of Soul, but Smith also drew criticism for degrading the Oscars as a whole. To his fellow candidates, Smith offered his apologies, saying that he could not make up for what he had done to them. I can still see Questlove’s expression in Smith’s eyes, the musician told him. “I’m sorry” isn’t good enough. Smith addressed the audience at the finale of the film to apologise for his behaviour on the night of the game.
He talked about his worries about not living up to expectations, as well as the personal work he’s taking to get over the situation and grow: He voiced his fears: “I’m working on being profoundly sorry without being embarrassed by myself, and that’s what I’m trying to accomplish. The fact that I made a mistake and am trying not to think of myself as a jerk means that I would like to apologise to those individuals and assure them that I am fully committed to spreading light, love, and happiness across the universe. We can be friends again if you stick with me.” Antoine Fuqua’s Apple’s Emancipation will put Smith’s Hollywood reputation to the test following his apologies. Despite the fact that the actor has had a lengthy history of success in the profession, he still has a following of admirers who view “The Slap” as a failure in judgement. After a decade-long suspension from the Oscars, it will be difficult for the actor to overcome the negative perception.