And to put an end to the drama, controversy, and string of celebrity opinions that came after he slapped Chris Rock on the Oscars stage Sunday night, Will Smith has officially apologized to the comedian.
In a statement posted to his Instagram Monday evening, the King Richard actor said, "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable."
He explained that though he's used to having jokes made about himself—it comes with the job—hearing Rock joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia "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," Smith said.
Rock hasn't spoken publicly of the incident or of where he and Smith stand now, but the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed to BAZAAR.com that he refused to file charges against Smith for the slap.
Like in his emotional Oscars speech, Smith also apologized to the Academy, the producers of the show, the attendees at the event, and everyone watching around the world in his Instagram statement. "I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family," he said. "I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us."
After exploding on Rock at the Oscars and telling him to keep Pinkett Smith's name "out your fucking mouth," Smith broke down in tears onstage. While accepting his Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, Serena and Venus Williams's father, he said he was "overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world," and admitted he felt like he was "being called on in my life to love people and to protect people."
He added in his statement Monday night, "I am a work in progress."
Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets.
