The 94th Academy Awards has been a trending Twitter topic since Will Smith casually walked up to Chris Rock and smacked him across the face on live television. The seasoned actor/MC sprung into action after the comedian made a G.I. Jane joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett, which apparently sent him over the edge.
On Monday (March 28), the former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star issued an official apology to Rock and took full accountability for the very public assault. Around the same time, a purported apology from Chris Rock to Pinkett, Smith and the rest of their family started making the rounds. However, Rock’s team has officially shut that down.
According to The Hollywood Reporter‘s Senior Film Editor Rebecca Keegan, “Chris Rock has not yet issued a statement. There is a statement going around purporting to be from Rock that is not from him, per his team. It’s the one that starts, ‘As a comedian it can be difficult to understand…’”
Chris Rock has not yet issued a statement. There is a statement going around purporting to be from Rock that is not from him, per his team. It’s the one that starts, “As a comedian it can be difficult to understand…”
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) March 29, 2022
While Chris Rock’s apology is reportedly fake, Smith’s is not only real but seemingly genuine.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a 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 were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
Rock declined to press charges against Will Smith, which the Los Angeles Police Department acknowledged in a statement.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the statement read. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
As for the bogus apology, check it out below.
and Chris rock apologies to jada, hopeful they all caan hug it out move on from this story pic.twitter.com/04zC1YzsYx
— 🇭🇳Oc REED Gaming🇭🇳 (@reed_oc) March 28, 2022
