One would need to be living under a rock if by now they haven’t yet heard and seen the footage of the fracas that went on between comedian Chris Rock and rapper-turned-actor Will Smith.
While initially dubbed as ‘The slap heard around the world’, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, who made a fleeting joke about the actors’ wife’s new bald look, seems to be turning into the gift that keeps on giving.
In the time since the incident, video footage of Smith lip-syncing to his own song as he celebrates his Oscar win for Best Actor (King Richard) has surfaced.
Another clip of Smith mocking a bald man during an Arsenio Hall Show appearance, back in 1991, is also doing the rounds on the internet.
The American public has taken his son to task over his ill-advised reaction and tweet of his father slapping Chris Rock.
“And That’s How We Do It,” tweeted the 23-year-old rapper and son of Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
The tweet currently has over 143 000 retweets and countless comments which range from condemning to bashing the kid.
However, the most relevant development seems to be the fact that the 53-year-old actor has finally apologized to Chris Rock.
Violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medication 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,” reads the apology that seems more like damage control rather than penance.
“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.
“I would 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 behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,” said the statement.
Now, there are a couple of things wrong with this apology, top of which is the timing of it all.
Not long before the apology was posted, the academy of motion picture arts and sciences commented on the incident and condemned Smith for his actions and the stain it has brought upon the organisation.
With Chris Rock refusing to press charges, and the Los Angeles Police department’s hands tied because of it, it looks like the academy of motion picture arts and sciences has been painted into a corner.
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| Will Smith’s Flimsy Apology Falls Flat! |
For their part, the academy of motion picture arts and sciences has condemned Smith for his actions with an inquiry soon to follow.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr Smith at last night’s show,” the Academy said in a statement on Monday.
“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct, and California law,” went on the statement.
One of the many resolutions at the disposal of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be to strip Smith of his Oscar win and gong.
It is the recuse that many have been clamouring for, especially as Smith appeared unrepentant over his actions.
Also, Smith had ample time to apologize to Rock on Sunday, especially during his acceptance speech.
Instead, he chose to validate his actions, equating himself to the father of tennis greats Venus and Serena, Richard, who he portrayed in the movie King Richard.
“Art imitates life, “Smith said during his Oscar award acceptance speech.
“I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams.
“But love will make you do crazy things,” he said.
Smith continued with the same tone and message during his apology, which could have been written by a publicist for all we know.
The fact he omitted to apologize to everyone but Chris Rock when he had the chance, then went out dancing to celebrate his Oscar win pours water on anything he says today or thereafter.
