The Academy (@TheAcademy)
Oscar-winner Will Smith has issued an apology following the incident at the 94th Acadamy Award Ceremony where he slapped comedian Chris Rock.
The incident on Sunday happened just minutes before Smith won his first Oscar for Best Actor for his role in King Richard.
Chris Rock made a joke about the actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, referring to her shaved hairdo.
Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia and has been very open about her struggle.
After Smith slapped Rock in front of an audience of millions, he went back to his seat and shouted at Rock to keep his wife's name out of his F$%# mouth.
Will Smith issued the following apology to his 61 million followers on Instagram.
Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. 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.
I am a work in progress.
Sincerely,
Will
