Chris Rock had appeared on stage to present the award for Best Documentary Feature at the 94th Academy Awards, when he spoke about Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith being ‘GI Jane”, while referring to her shaved head. Jada has hair loss condition alopecia and Will reacted to the comment by going on stage and striking Rock across the face. He also yelled expletives at Chris later.
Apologising for his behaviour, Will Smith later shared on Instagram, “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.”
