DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith with Chris Rock. Shutterstock (3)
Supporting the Fresh prince DJ Jazzy JeffHe shared his thoughts about Will SmithSlapping Chris Rock at the Oscars — and he stuck up for his former colleague.
“Don’t get it twisted that this was something that he was proud of,” the producer, 57, said during a recent interview with Chicago radio station 107.5 WCGI. “It was a lapse in judgment.”
The songwriter, Jeff Townes, claimed that the 53-year-old Oscar winner is very good at controlling his emotions when faced with a difficult situation.
“I think the thing that I’ve realized is I don’t know too many people that has had the least amount of lapse of judgment than him,” Jeff, whose friendship with Smith started in 1985, explained. “I can name 50 times that he should’ve smacked the s–t out of somebody and he didn’t. So, for him to have a lapse in judgment, he’s human. And I think a lot of the criticism comes from the people who don’t think people like that are human.”
The Men in BlackStar made headlines last month when he walked onto the Oscars stage smacked Rock (57), after the comedian made a joke about it Jada pinkett Smith‘s hair. The Magic Mike XXLActress, 50, is open about her battle with alopecia.
Smith publicly apologized for his actions to the Grown Ups actor one day after the incident, saying in an Instagram statement that he was “embarrassed” by his actions. “I would also like to apologize to The Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” he added. “I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.”
The Academy announced earlier this month that Smith would be banned from all Academy events for the next 10 year. This includes both in-person and virtual programs. “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” the Philadelphia native said in a statement after the organization announced the ban. Smith had resigned from Academy a week earlier.
Jeff is not the only one. Bel-Air: The Fresh PrinceAn alum will weigh in on the drama. Janet HubertAunt Viv was played by Viv. Viv praised her former costar for his first Oscar. “There is only so much one can take … sometimes you have to slap back,” the actress, 66, wrote via Instagram one day after the Academy Awards. “Celebrate the win … nothing else matters.”
Tatyana Ali, for her part, said Rock “didn’t deserve to be hit, but she defended Smith’s character. “My heart aches for what has happened,” the New York native, 43, wrote via Instagram earlier this month. “I don’t know what caused that chaos & confusion, but I do know that Will has a big heart. I’ve seen him many times try his best to do what is right. I believe in him.”
