Will Smith has broken his long silence following the debacle that was the Oscars slap seen around the world.
As extensively covered here on That Grape Juice, the Hollywood titan dramatically slapped comedian Chris Rock after the latter made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett‘s baldness which she’s been open about being caused by the health condition alopecia.
The media circus around Smith and the fallout that followed was immense. Indeed, while the star was permitted to keep his Best Actor Award (which he won on the ill-fated night), he stepped down from the Oscars academy. A move many deemed preemptive given that members were meeting to decide his punishment. Smith was also banned from attending the ceremony for a period of 10 years.
Now, after a period of further reflecting, he is speaking up and out.
Find out what he had to say below…
Taking to social media, an emotional Smith shared a video unpacking his remorse the more.
He began saying:
“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is he’s not ready to talk, and when he is, he will reach out.”
The 53-year-old continued:
“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that momen. There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.”
Addressing the murmurs about Jada somehow encouraging the act, he added:
“It’s like, you know, I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences, from my history with Chris. ada had nothing to do with it. I’m sorry, babe. I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us.”
Towards the end of the video, Smith said: “It hurts me psychologically and emotionally to know I didn’t live up to people’s image and impression of me. [I’m ]deeply remorseful” but trying to do so “without being ashamed” of himself. “I’m a human and I made a mistake, and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of sh*t.”
“I would say to those people [that I disappointed], I know it was confusing. I know it was shocking. But I promise you, I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world. And if you hang on, I promise we’ll be able to be friends again.”
Watch the full clip: