Chris Rock and Will Smith. Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Can’t forgive and forget? As the fallout Will Smith‘s Oscars slap continues, Chris Rock‘s brother Kenny RockMore consequences are possible.
“It eats at me watching it over and over again because you’ve seen a loved one being attacked and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Kenny, 42, told The Los Angeles TimesIn an interview published Monday April 4, Smith, 53 argued that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should deprive Smith of the Best Actor for a Leading Role award.
Kenny continued, “Every time I’m watching the videos, it’s like a rendition that just keeps going over and over in my head. He was not a threat to my brother and you had no respect for him at that time. He was ridiculed in front of millions of viewers of the show. … In my opinion, he embarrassed himself by doing that and his legacy by doing that.”
Smith slapped the podium during the 94th Annual Academy Awards on March 27. Grown UpsActor, 57, in the face as a response to a joke he made about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head. The Bel-Air: The Fresh PrinceSince then, the comedian’s alum has publicly apologized to him. He did not press any charges. On Friday, April 1, Smith announced in a statement that he’s resigning from the Academy following a “disciplinary hearing notice” from the organization.
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable,” the Men in Black actor said, per Variety. “The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed Academy trust. … I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”
Smith noted in his statement that he “will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.” David Rubin, the Academy’s president, later stated that the members will “continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings” before a hearing on April 18.
Chris has remained relatively silent since the shocking awards show moment. He briefly spoke out about the situation at a Boston stand-up gig on Wednesday, March 30, but he was not as quiet as he had been before. His Oscars quip, which he believes was harmless, has been defended by fellow comedians.
“The joke was funny,” Kenny told the L.A. Times. “It wasn’t hilarious funny, but I know that if he knew that she had alopecia … he wouldn’t make a joke about that. But he didn’t know.”
Pinkett Smith, 50 has spoken out about her experience with hair fall due to alopecia throughout the years. Their family continues making headlines as the Red Table TalkCohost and her husband are ready for the end of the situation.
“They stick together through thick and thin,” a source exclusively told Us WeeklySmith and the Girls Trip actress. “They have been through a lot together and this is just another battle for them. … The entire night became about Will and Chris [and]They didn’t want that. [Jada] hopes that they can move on.”
However, WillMultiple sources have confirmed that author has publicly apologized for his actions. UseChris has not spoken to him privately. Kenny noted in his interview that he doesn’t believe Smith has reached out to his brother.
“I don’t accept [the apology] because I don’t think it was genuine,” Kenny told the L.A. Times. “He should have been escorted out of there. They are held responsible for this. He could have gone up there to do whatever you want to my brother. It could have been much worse than what he did.”
