Will Smith attends Los Angeles’ 94th Annual Academy Awards, California, March 27, 2022. Jay L Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock
Three months later Will SmithRaised eyebrows for slapping Chris RockThe Oscars gave the actor a big win for his role in King Richardat the 2022 BET Awards.
Smith, 53, was unable to attend the awards show Sunday, June 26 and won best actor for the film that was based on a sports movie. Richard Williams. The Pennsylvania native’s costars Mikayla Bartholomew Saniyya SidneySmith has been updated in the midst of controversy.
“Every time I talk to him, he always says everything is in divine splendor, ya know, so he’s good,” Bartholomew, who played Tunde Price, told Entertainment TonightSunday. “It’s always good to chat with him.”
Sidney, on the other hand, was proud of her achievements. King RichardSince its debut in late 2013 it has been a success. “Our film was very special to us Venus [Williams] and Serena [Williams] changed so many women’s lives, our lives,” the actress, who played Venus, said.
Smith was involved in an altercation at this year’s 94th Academy Awards. Rock, 57 made a joke while presenting an Academy Award. Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head. TheGirls TripStar, 50, who had been open about her alopecia diagnosis, rolled at the comment. Her husband walked up to the stage and slapped her husband.
“Will Smith just smacked the s—t out of me,” the South Carolina native said in censored footage that later circulated online. As the Bel-Air: The Fresh Prince alum returned to his seat, he was heard yelling at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out your f—king mouth.”
Smith used his acceptance speech at the Oscars for the best actor award to make a retraction. “Oh, man. Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he said during the emotional speech, shortly after winning for his performance in King Richard. “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. To do what we do, one must be able to take abuse. You have to be able make people crazy about you. In this business, you have to be able and willing to let people disrespect you. And you got to smile, you got to pretend like that’s OK.”
He concluded: “I want to apologize to the academy. I apologize to all my fellow nominees. … Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like Richard Williams. Love will make you do crazy stuff. …Thank you for this moment. Thank you, Richard and the entire Williams Family. We are grateful. I hope the academy invites me back.”
The I Am LegendStar posted a second apology on social networking one day following the incident. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was wrong and I was out of line. I am embarrassed. My actions are not indicative the man I want. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness,” he wrote via Instagram.
In the lengthy message, Smith addressed his “unacceptable and inexcusable” actions toward Rock. “I would also like to apologize to The Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” he continued. “I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.”
One month later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Smith would be expelled from all Oscars events in 10 years after his resignation. The Suicide Squad star responded to his punishment, saying in a statement in April, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
A source told the story exclusively at the time. Us WeeklySmith and Pinkett Smith were taking steps towards putting the scandal behind them. “Right now they’re figuring things out, committing to therapy together and trying to salvage the best of a pretty horrible situation,” an insider revealed.
