Even after a year, no one’s forgotten the 94th Academy Awards’ most infamous incident, where Will smith slapped host Chris Rock across the face after the comedian joked about his wife. Since then, Smith has been put on a decade-long Academy ban, has lost several projects, and even issued a formal apology video.
A source tells People that the King Richard actor is “still remorseful” and has “felt terrible for so long” for his action at last year’s Oscars. The report includes how Smith tried apologizing to Rock privately but remained unsuccessful. Read the full quote below:
He’s tried unsuccessfully to make amends in the best way he could with Chris. But beyond that, family is important to him, and [Smith] leaned on them [in the aftermath]. It all has helped him look inside and mature. He is better but still remorseful. Will listened to those who tried to help him and feels that he has become a better person.
The Men in Black actor has kept the same apologetic stance about the incident, but the stand-up comedian has kept mum on Smith’s apologies – except that one time.
But as we’re approaching the one-year mark of the hostile affair, Chris Rock has spoken about Smith’s “selective outrage” in his new Netflix special, even naming his set for the term he used to describe Smith’s behavior.
The comedian maintained that he was not a victim and even explained why he didn’t throw down after Smith raised his hand at him. Read what he has to say on that below:
A lot of people go, ‘Chris, how come you didn’t do nothing back, how come you didn’t do nothing back that night?’ ‘Cause I got parents, that’s why. Cause I was raised. I got parents, and you know what my parents taught me? Don’t fight in front of white people!
The comedian called Smith and his wife names and stated that everyone who knew “knows I had nothing to do with that s***.”
Will Smith has selective outrage,” Rock said. “Everybody that really knows, knows I had nothing to do with that s—. I didn’t have any ‘entanglements.’ She hurt him way more than he hurt me,” Rock continued in the special. “Everybody called him a b—-, and who did he hit? Me.
Chris Rock is undoubtedly having a hard time forgiving and forgetting! Do you think he’s right to hold out his pardon? Let us know in the comments.
Source: People
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