'WORK IN PROGRESS'
Will Smith FINALLY apologizes to Chris Rock for ‘poisonous & destructive’ Oscars slap & insists he ‘regrets’ the attack
WILL Smith has apologized to Chris Rock for slapping the comic on the Oscars stage and admitted his behavior was "unacceptable".
The incident occurred when Chris, who was presenting an award at the movie awards, made a ill-judged joke about the Men In Black actor's wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.
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Will issued a lengthy apology via almost a full day after the shocking incident.
He wrote: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.
"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."
He continued: "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.
"I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world."
He added: "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."
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Will concluded his message before signing off: "I am a work in progress."
It's unclear if the Fresh Prince of Bel Air star has spoken with Chris since the slap.
RADIO SILENCE
However, reported on Monday that the two had not yet been in touch.
A source told the outlet that Chris was completely unaware that Jada has alopecia before making a controversial joke about her shaved head.
According to the outlet, the host went straight to his dressing room after the incident occurred.
The insider added that the comic had "no intention of staying" for the ceremony after presenting the award for Best Documentary, which was when the altercation went down.
The same source also alleged that Chris did not know about Jada's condition maintaining the Saturday Night Live alum "doesn't have a mean bone in his body."
The ill-received joke referenced Jada's hair loss, with Chris saying: "Jada, I love you, G. I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it."
Jada, 50, is said to have been struggling with hair loss for years, which is why she decided to shave it off.
Will stormed the stage seconds after the comment, slapping the presenter.
He walked back to his seat as a stunned Chris announced: "Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me."
Will yelled from the audience: "Leave my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth."
Chris looked visibly shaken and said: "Wow, dude, it was a G.I. Jane joke," to which Will repeated in an angrier tone, "Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth!"
Chris said, "I'm going to, okay?" before adding, "That was the... greatest night in the history of television."
A source also told the outlet that Chris was "shaken and bewildered" by Will's stunt but attempted to move on at Guy Oseary's Oscars After Party.
ALL GOOD?
It was believed that Will and Chris made amends after rapper P Diddy spoke about the assault.
The musician, 52, born Sean Combs, told at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty that the pair had patched things up.
“That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that," the hitmaker revealed.
He added that the relationship between the two is "all love."
Will apologized for his actions - but not directly to Chris - at the show as he hit the stage to accept the Best Actor award for his role in the film King Richard.
He said through tears: "Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family.
"In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and be in this world. I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.
"I know to do what we do you've got to be able to take abuse, you've got to be able to have people talk crazy about you in this business. You've got to be able have people disrespecting you and you've got to smile and pretend like that's OK."
Will said sorry to the Academy and his fellow nominees, though he did not mention Chris at the time.
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He concluded through tears: "Art imitates life, I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams, but love will make you do crazy things.
“I hope the Academy invites me back."
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