Aisha Nozari
New footage of Will Smith captured shortly after he slapped Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards on 27 March is doing the internet rounds.
In a new ten-second clip shared on TikTok, Smith can be seen being consoled by actor Bradley Cooper inside the Dolby theatre.
Filmed during a non-televised interval, Smith appears to be listening intently to Cooper, who rests an arm on the Fresh Prince star’s shoulder. Watch below:
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In TikTok user @crystaldlace’s clip, the A-listers are standing in front of the Oscars stage and at one point during their intimate conversation, Cooper seemingly shakes his head from side to side.
Before the camera pans to Smith and Cooper, stars including Lupita Nyong'o, Tracee Ellis Ross and Cynthia Erivo can be seen chatting away in the bustling auditorium.
Smith continues to make daily headlines after he stormed the stage during this year’s Oscars and slapped comedian Rock across the face.
While presenting the Best Documentary award, Rock made a joke at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s expense, quipping: “Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you.”
Pinkett Smith had previously revealed she shaves her head because she has alopecia.
Cooper wasn’t the only star to console Smith on the night. Accepting his best actor gong shortly after his and Rock’s entanglement, the King Richard star revealed Denzel Washington’s advice to him.
Smith said: “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.
“I know, to do what we do, we’ve gotta be able to take abuse.
"You’ve gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you’ve gotta be able to have people disrespecting you.
"You’ve gotta smile and pretend that that’s okay.
“[Washington told me] ‘in your highest moments, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you’.”
Smith’s outburst prompted a review by the Academy Board of Governors, which manages the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The board ruled this month that as a result of his actions, Smith will not be allowed to attend the Oscars for 10 years.
Academy president David Rubin and chief executive Dawn Hudson said in a statement: "The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year.
"However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage."
In a statement, Smith responded, "I accept and respect the Academy's decision."
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