Will Smith, who was virally slapped, stood up on stage and apologized for his actions to Chris Rock.
“I want to apologize to the Academy. I apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment, and I’m not crying for winning an award,” Smith said. “It’s not about winning an award for me.”
Rock apologized on social media the next day.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “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 not in line with the rules and I was wrong. I am embarrassed by my actions, which are not indicative the man I want. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”