Two years after the notorious Will Smith Oscars slap, the stunning occasion remains to be being mentioned on the films’ greatest night time.
“West Aspect Story” actress Rita Moreno appeared on the pink carpet forward of the 2024 Academy Awards, mentioning the notorious incident between the “Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air” actor and comic Chris Rock.
Rita Moreno Remembers Will Smith 2022 Oscars Slap
Until you’ve been residing beneath a rock, that Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars after he stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock throughout the face after the comic made a joke about his spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith.
All of it went down the identical yr Will Smith had been nominated within the Greatest Actor class, which he received for his position as King Richard. Jada and Will have been seated within the entrance row when host Chris Rock made a joke about Jada’s shaven head, which is a results of a medical situation known as alopecia.
Whereas Will appeared to chortle it off at first, as soon as he regarded over at his spouse and noticed her roll her eyes on the joke, he then seemingly obtained protecting over his spouse as he stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock throughout the face whereas screaming, “Hold my spouse’s title out of your f—ing mouth!”
Regardless of the slap occurring two years in the past, individuals can’t appear to overlook about it, together with “80 For Brady” actress Rita Moreno.
What Did Rita Moreno Say About Will Smith’s Oscar Slap?
Rita Moreno brings up Will Smith’s #Oscars slap with THR on the pink carpet pic.twitter.com/FSMsJd1iH1
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 10, 2024
When requested the way it feels to return to the Oscars, Rita Moreno stated, “Fabulous! It’s at all times nice. You by no means know what’s going to occur. I imply a few years in the past we have been right here and someone slapped someone so it was fascinating.”
Whereas she didn’t title names, all of us knew precisely who she was referring to. “You by no means know what’s going to occur,” she added, laughing.
Will Smith Addresses Oscars Slap
Within the weeks following the notorious slap, Will Smith took to social media to handle the incident.
“I used to be fogged out by that time,” Smith stated of why it took him so lengthy to apologize to Chris Rock. “It’s all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris, and the message that got here again is that he’s not prepared to speak. And when he’s, he’ll attain out.”
“That was one of many issues about that second I simply didn’t notice,” Smith recalled. “I wasn’t desirous about how many individuals obtained harm in that second. So, I wish to apologize to Chris’ mom. I wish to apologize to Chris’ household — particularly, Tony Rock. We had an important relationship. You understand, Tony Rock was my man, and that is in all probability irreparable.”
Smith went on to handle the questionable eye roll from his spouse and defined how this whole incident has affected his household and youngsters.
“So it hurts. It hurts me psychologically and emotionally to know I didn’t dwell as much as individuals’s picture and impression of me,” he stated, including that he’s “deeply remorseful” however making an attempt to not be ashamed of himself. “I’m a human and I made a mistake, and I’m making an attempt not to think about myself as a chunk of s–t,” he added.
Will Smith Apologizes To Chris Rock Following Oscars Slap
“I’d say to these individuals: I do know it was complicated. I do know it was stunning. However I promise you, I’m deeply devoted and dedicated to placing mild and love and pleasure into the world,” Smith concluded. “And in the event you dangle on, I promise we’ll be capable of be associates once more.”
Smith supplied a separate apology to Chris Rock, stating “Jokes at my expense are part of the job, however a joke about Jada’s medical situation was an excessive amount of for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
Including, “I want to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I used to be out of line and I used to be unsuitable. I’m embarrassed and my actions weren’t indicative of the person I wish to be. There isn’t a place for violence in a world of affection and kindness.”
