Will Smith has formally apologized to Chris Rock.
In the wake of the backlash from his slap at Sunday’s Oscars, the King Richard star addressed the incident where he ran on stage and smacked the comedian after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who has struggled with hair loss due to alopecia.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday. “Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
Smith, who apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees during his Best Actor acceptance speech, directly addressed Rock this time.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong,” he said. “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.”
He also apologized to Oscar viewers and the Williams family. “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.”
He ended his note, adding, “I am a work in progress.”
Earlier today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences condemned Smith’s actions and said it was reviewing the situation and will consider “further action and consequences.”
Despite claims otherwise, Smith and Rock reportedly did not speak after Sunday’s show. Will attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party where he was seen celebrating his Oscar win with his wife and children.
See his apology below.