Will Smith Makes Emotional Public Apology to Chris Rock After Oscars Slap; Fans React

Will Smith, an Oscar-winning actor, apologized to comedian Chris Rock in a video released online on Friday. He claimed he was "deeply remorseful" for his actions after slapping Rock at the Academy Awards in March.

Smith explained in a nearly six-minute video posted to YouTube and Instagram that he was "fogged out" at the time and did not apologize to Rock in his Oscars acceptance speech, but that he has since "reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he's not ready to talk and, when he's ready, he will reach out."

Will Smith Posts Apology Video For Slapping Chris Rock

He subsequently apologized to Rose, Rock's mother, and Tony, Rock's younger brother. When criticizing Smith in April, Rose Rock reportedly said: "When he hit Chris, he slapped all of us."

In an interview with WIS of Columbia, South Carolina, in April, Rose Rock seemed to criticize Smith, stating in part: "When he hit Chris, he smacked all of us." Smith immediately apologized to Rock's mother and his younger brother, Tony.

Jada Pinkett Smith was spotted rolling her eyes when Rock made a joke about her shaved head, although Smith claimed she did not advise him to do anything at the time. Because Pinkett Smith had a diagnosis of alopecia, which results in hair loss, Rock compared her to the character 'G.I. Jane' from the movie.

Per CBS News, he then apologized to the other candidates for stealing their supporters' attention and the spotlight. After slapping Rock, the Academy said in April that Smith would be barred from participating in any of their activities for ten years. Smith expressed regret and left the Academy.

Will Smith Slammed For "Staged" Apology

Will Smith drew criticism from fans and colleagues for hitting and shouting at Academy Award presenter Chris Rock, and some people are not buying his apologetic video, which a Hollywood source calls "staged."

After the Academy opened an inquiry into the event, Smith resigned. The actor, who that evening won his first Academy Award for Best Actor, was banned for ten years from attending any Academy events, including the Oscars.

Here are some of the fans' reaction to Will Smith's video:

Meanwhile, others admire Jada Pinkett-Smith's reaction after the incident. Others are criticizing Chris Rock for not releasing apology for making fun of Jada during the event at Oscars.

The 'I am Legend' actor's apology, according to a source, is "too little, too late" and suggests that the video was staged. According to the informant, Smith was observed having fun at an Oscar after-party after attacking Chris Rock. According to Monsters and Critics, Smith apologized to Chris Rock's brother Tony Rock, admitting they had had a close relationship, and said he tried to contact the 'Everybody Hates Chris' star but the actor was "not ready to talk."

When addressing the apology video, the Hollywood source said that it "seems like it was produced by a team of therapists and publicists," and that "even the set looks like a bad psychiatrist's office that it comes out as fake." Numerous comedians supported Chris Rock after the Oscar slap because they were worried that Will Smith's aggression would inspire similar attacks.

Their worries seemed to have been justified not long after the Oscars, when Dave Chappelle was assaulted on stage during a Hollywood Bowl performance in May. Later, Dave and Chris discussed their individual stage attacks, working together to make light of their common experience.

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Will smith, Chris rock