"In your highest moments, be careful. That's when the devil comes for you.”
On what should've been the greatest night of his illustrious career, Will Smith's crowning achievement will forever be tarnished with the memory of his actions less than an hour prior when he decided to walk onto the stage and slap presenter Chris Rock across the face in a jaw-dropping moment that sent shockwaves across the globe.
Following arguably one of Hollywood's wildest days ever, Smith, the newly-minted Academy Award-winner for Best Actor, formally issued an apology to Rock for his "unacceptable and inexcusable" behavior via Instagram.
He continues, "I was out of line and I was wrong. 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."
At this time, it's uncertain whether the pair have spoken in person since the incident, which stemmed from a joke Rock made at the expense of Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith, but Vanity Fair reported earlier today that no such reconciliation took place during last night's ceremony, despite Denzel Washington's best efforts. With Smith now issuing a public apology, it seems fair to assume he also reached out to Rock privately.
Read his full statement below.
Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. 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 Jada’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. 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 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.
Sincerely,
Will
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