Will Smith, a popular Hollywood actor, has apologized for crashing the stage at the Oscars and slapping the host, Chris Rock, for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Mr. Smith was awarded the Best Actor award after the incident, for his acting role as Richard Williams, the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in “King Richard.”
As Will received his first Academy Award, he justified his actions against Chris Rock during his acceptance speech.
He said, “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do.
“I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.”
Smith then apologized to the Academy, his family, and other nominees, but did not apologize to Chris.
He went on to say that when you love someone, you do crazy things for them.
He said, “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father. But love will make you do crazy things.”
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has acknowledged that they are aware the slap occurred, but Chris Rock has refused to file a police report.
The police department said, “LAPD INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES ARE AWARE OF AN INCIDENT BETWEEN TWO INDIVIDUALS DURING THE ACADEMY AWARDS PROGRAM. THE INCIDENT INVOLVED ONE INDIVIDUAL SLAPPING ANOTHER. THE INDIVIDUAL INVOLVED HAS DECLINED TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. IF THE INVOLVED PARTY DESIRES A POLICE REPORT ATA LATER DATE, LAPD WILL BE AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT.”
