“Chris, I’m sorry and I’m here when you’re ready to talk.” Will Smith talks about the Oscars’ aggression

In the videoTitled It Was A Minute, Will Smith himself gets to answer many of the questions raised after he assaulted comedian Chris Rock, live, after he made a joke with Smith’s wife, awarding this party a Best Actor Award.

Why didn’t you apologize to Chris when you got on stage [para receber o Óscar de Melhor Ator]? This is the first in a series of questions that Smith answers in this video.

The actor begins by saying that he was not yet in himself at that moment, that everything was “cloudy” and adds that he had already tried to talk to the comedian, who gave the message that he was not ready to talk. “Chris, I’m sorry, my behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here when you’re ready to speak,” Smith said immediately, looking straight into the camera.

The actor later apologized to Chris Rock’s mother and family, saying that he didn’t realize at that moment how many people had been hurt by his actions. “Tony Rock [irmão de Chris Rock] He’s my friend, this probably can’t be fixed,” Smith admitted.

“I’ve spent the past three months reviewing and understanding the nuances and intricacies of what happened in that moment, and I’m not going to try to explain everything now, but I can tell you all that there’s no part of me in that that thinks that’s how you’re sure to act in that the moment “.

During the video, and in response to the new question, Will Smith clarifies that the woman, Jada Smith, the target of Chris Rock’s joke, did not ask him to do anything, completely removing her from any responsibility for her act, taking advantage of a moment to also apologize to their families for everything, in a private Indirectly, they ended up too.

And in a line of apology, the Hollywood community and specifically everyone who was nominated that night followed: “It breaks my heart to steal and tarnish your moment.”

“Disappointing people is the main drama of my life. I hate it when I disappoint people. So it hurts me psychologically and emotionally because I didn’t live up to the image and impression people have. The work I’m trying to do Am I trying to feel remorse without feeling ashamed of myself?” […] I know it was confusing, and I know it was shocking, but I promise you that I am very loyal and committed to bringing light, love and joy into this world. If you wait, I promise we will be able to be friends again.”

The incident occurred during the Academy Awards when comedian Chris Rock, who was going to present the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, began interjecting him with a comic number, during which he compared Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith – who has no hair, suffers from an autoimmune disease – to Lt. O’Neill, “JJ Jane,” from the movie Ridley Scott.

Will Smith got up, climbed onto the podium, slapped Chris Rock and returned to his seat, where he continued yelling, “Keep my wife’s name out of your damn mouth.”

On stage, Chris Rock tried to minimize the situation, but without hiding the annoyance, saying that it was a moment for “TV history.”

Soon, Will Smith returned to the stage to receive the Oscar for Best Actor, and during the speech, the Academy and the nominees tearfully apologized, and tried to justify his behavior, without speaking directly about the aggression against the comedian.

“Richard Williams was a brave defender of his family,” he said, referring to the Williams sisters’ father, a role he played and Oscar-winning in “King Richard.”

“Sometimes you have to put up with insults and you have to keep smiling and saying that everything is fine,” he added.

At the end of the ceremony, the Academy wrote a brief comment on Twitter saying it generally condemns the violence, but a week later banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years.

In an open letter issued after the meeting of the academy’s 54 governors, group president David Rubin and CEO Don Hudson called Will Smith’s behavior “unacceptable,” acknowledging that they had not handled the situation properly. During the event that took place on March 27.

“(…) We are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers, and the Academy family around the world, and we failed – and were powerless as never before.”

Earlier, the actor had already submitted his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is responsible for organizing the Oscars: “I have responded directly to the notice of the Academy’s disciplinary hearing and will fully accept any consequences for my behavior. Will Smith said at the time: “My actions ( …) was horrific, painful and unforgivable.”

“(…) I am resigning from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any other consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that violence is never again allowed to transcend reason.”