Will Smith addresses Chris Rock smack for first time. ‘My behavior was unacceptable’

Will Smith released an apology to Chris Rock on Friday, July 29, his first public comments since smacking the comedian at the Academy Awards in March.

Smith said in the video apology he has reached out to Rock, who he said was not ready to talk to him about the March 27 incident at the Oscars.

“So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you,” Smith said. “My behavior was unacceptable. I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”

He said he has spent the last few months replaying the moment and understanding why he smacked Rock, who had made a quip toward Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

“I’m not going to try and unpack all that right now, but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment,” Smith said. “There is no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.”

Smith also apologized to the fellow nominees at the Academy Awards, saying he stole and tarnished their moment.

After smacking Rock during the awards show, Smith won Best Actor for his role in “King Richard.” He said he did not apologize during his acceptance speech because he was “fogged out by that point.”

Rock was on stage handing out the award for Best Documentary when he made the remark about Pinkett Smith.

“Jada, I love you. ‘GI Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see you,” Rock told Pinkett Smith, who has a shaved head.

Smith initially laughed at the joke, while Pinkett Smith appeared uncomfortable. The camera then cut to Smith walking on stage, approaching Rock and striking him in the face. Smith then walked back to his seat.

“Keep my wife’s name out your ------- mouth,” Smith replied back as the audience — and viewers — quickly realized the smack was not staged.

This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 9:47 AM with the headline "Will Smith addresses Chris Rock smack for first time. ‘My behavior was unacceptable’."