Jada Pinkett Smith says that a time for healing is needed with her first statement since what happened at the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday night. With millions of viewers watching all around the world, things got very tense when comedian and award presenter Chris Rock cracked a joke about Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle. We all know what happened next, with Will Smith smacking Rock and screaming at him with profanities.
It seems like everyone has their own opinion on who was in the right in this situation, but in any case, it’s rather unfortunate all around. Following a formal apology for the incident from Smith, Pinkett Smith has taken to Instagram to post a statement of her own. With no caption, the actress posted a photo that simply read the words: “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it.”
Though the statement is brief, Pinkett Smith appears to be calling for an amicable solution to this ordeal. While Rock’s joke was seen as controversial on its own, there has been some debate over whether Smith was justified in his actions, but there has been some criticism leveled at the Academy for seemingly condoning the violent reaction without any consequences for the Best Actor winner. The Academy has since announced that they “condemn” Smith’s behavior and have launched a “formal review” into what happened.
Will Smith Has Also Addressed the Oscars Situation
ABC
Will Smith has also spoken out about the incident. In his own post, Smith noted that the joke about his wife had caused him to react “emotionally.” He still makes the point that his violent response was “unacceptable,” going on to express his regret over how the onstage attack wound up overshadowing the film Smith was there to win his Oscar for, King Richard.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Smith also said on Monday. “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 Jade’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," Smith also said, apologizing directly to Rock this time after neglecting to do so in his acceptance speech. “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 added, “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.”
The good news for Smith is that Chris Rock has reportedly declined to formally press charges against him, so the Best Actor winner will be avoiding an assault charge. Time will tell if the Academy review into the incident will result in any other actions being taken against Smith, which includes the possibility of having his Oscar rescinded.
