Will Smith apologized again to comedian Chris Rock for slapping him during the 2022 Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 27.
Smith previously apologized to Rock in March, but received no response.
In an emotional video posted to his Instagram page on Friday, Smith said he tried again to reach out to Rock who is pictured with girlfriend Lake Bell, 43.
“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk when he is, he will reach out. So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
He also apologized to Rock’s mother and his younger brother Tony Rock.
Smith, 53, said he now he realizes how many people he hurt after the unprovoked attack on Rock.
“I just didn’t realize how many people got hurt in that moment, so I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I want to apologize. I want to apologize to Tony Rock… Tony Rock was my man and this is probably irreparable,” he said.
Smith apologized to his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, whom he claimed to be defending when he stormed onstage and slapped the 57-year-old comedian for joking about Jada’s bald head.
Smith said he took three months to replay the incident in his mind and to “work” on himself.
“I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the nuances and the complexities of what happened in that moment. I’m not going to try to unpack all of that right now but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There is no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.”
Smith’s career was derailed by The Slap and he was dropped by his agent.
Colleagues and friends have since distanced themselves from Smith.
“I’m human and I made a mistake and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of s**t,” he said.
“I would say to those people I know it was confusing, I know it was shocking, but I promise you I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world. And, you know, if you hang on I promise we’ll be able to be friends again.”
Watch the video below.
