Will Smith Spotted In First Public Appearance Since Chris Rock Oscars Slap
Topics: Will Smith, Chris Rock, Oscars, Film and TV, Entertainment
Cameron Frew
Featured Image Credit: @viralbhayani/Instagram/Alamy
Topics: Will Smith, Chris Rock, Oscars, Film and TV, Entertainment
Will Smith has been spotted in his first public appearance since smacking Chris Rock at the Oscars.
This year's Academy Awards, which played host to a slew of historic wins, will forever be remembered for the moment Smith walked onto the stage, slapped the comedian in the face, and told him to 'keep [his] wife's name out [his] f***ing mouth'.
The outburst came after Rock cracked a 'G.I. Jane 2' joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, and he took to the stage shortly after for his first-ever Oscar win for King Richard.
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In terms of showbiz news, it'll likely remain the biggest story of the year. Rock has only acknowledged it at his stand-up gigs, while yet to lengthily discuss it, while Smith has apologised, resigned from the Academy and been banned from the Oscars for 10 years.
While there's been many reports claiming a number of Smith's projects have been put on hold since the incident, from Apple TV's Emancipation to Netflix films like Fast and Loose and Bright 2, the actor hasn't been seen publicly until recently.
On Instagram, Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) shared photos and a short clip of Smith talking to fans at Kalina Airport in Mumbai, India. In the footage, he even gives a wave to the camera with a smile. It's unclear why Smith is in Mumbai.
Jada recently released her first Red Table Talk episode since the Oscars. While she's yet to discuss it, the episode opened with a statement addressing the incident.
It read: "Considering all that has happened in the last few weeks, the Smith family has been focusing on deep healing. Some of the discoveries around our healing will be shared at the table when the time calls."
Smith 'accepted and respected' the Academy's ban. In an earlier statement, he said: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.
"Jokes at my expense are 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 apologise 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."
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