Moments after smacking Chris Rock for a joke on his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's medical condition, Will Smith won the Best Actor award for King Richard at the 94th Academy Awards held on March 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. During an emotional acceptance speech, the actor apologised for his actions.
Will started his speech by saying, "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 and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunganue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses who play Venus and Serena. I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people."
With tears in his eyes, he added, "Now I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse. You gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you have to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you gotta smile and pretend that’s OK. Denzel [Washington] said to me a few minutes ago, he said, ‘At your highest moment, that’s when the devil comes for you.'"
Will, emotional, apologised and said, "I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people … Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father just like they said … just like they said about Richard Williams. Love will make you do crazy things."
He concluded by saying, "Thank you, I’m hoping the Academy invites me back."
Watch the speech here:
On the stage, Chris joked about Jada and her shaved head. Will walked up to him and slapped him. After returning to his seat, he said, "Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!"
