Chris Rock and Will Smith Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock; MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Letting go. Will SmithAfter his open apology, he is moving forward Chris RockA source exclusively tells us about the 2022 Oscars slap. Use Weekly.
“Will is in a really good place, as good as it can get at this stage,” the insider explains to Us. “Ever since sharing his apology with the world, a huge weight has definitely lifted off of his shoulders.”
After a few months in the spotlight, the King RichardStar, 52, uploaded an emotional video to social media on July 29. At the beginning of the clip, text appears on screen, reading, “It’s been a minute … Over the last few months, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and personal work … You asked a lot of fair questions that I wanted to take some time to answer.”
The Bel-Air: The Fresh PrinceThe alum then revealed that he had spoken to Rock, 57, after their feud. “The message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk,” Smith explained. “And when he is, he will reach out. Chris, I’m sorry. My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk. … I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of s–t.”
The source says Use that despite the comedian’s unwillingness to chat, Smith is both “happy” and “keeping positive” as he begins to think about the next phase of his career. “He’s hopeful for the future and that his life will turn around,” the insider shares.
The I Am LegendAfter Rock was slapped across the face by Rock while he was on the 2022 Oscars stage, actor made headlines at the 2022 Oscars. SNLAn alum was presenting an Award. After Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss, which she experiences due to alopecia, Smith then shouted from his seat for Rock to “keep my wife’s name out your f—king mouth.”
The big event was followed by the Men in Black star publicly apologized for his “inexcusable behavior” via a lengthy Instagram message. Smith was also expelled from Oscar-related events over the next decade and resigned from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Smith took the opportunity to apologize to the audience in his July video. Madagascar star’s mother. “I saw an interview that Chris’ mother did and, you know, that was just one of the things about that moment, I just didn’t realize and, you know, I wasn’t thinking about how many people got hurt in that moment,” the Pennsylvania native explained. “So I want to apologize to Chris’ mother, I want to apologize to Chris’ family.”
Rock has, for his part only addressed the issue during stand-up comedy shows. “I’m not a victim, motherf—ker,” he said during a show at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, in late July, days before Smith’s apology, according to an eyewitness. “Yeah, that s–t hurt, motherf–ker. But I shook that s–t off and went to work the next day … I don’t go to the hospital for a papercut.”
