![Oscars 2022: TELECAST](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2022/03/MEGA842725_007-scaled-e1648510350658.jpg?)
Will Smith Apologizes To Chris Rock For Oscars Slap: 'I Was Out Of Line'
By Kristin Myers on March 28, 2022 at 7:41 PM EDT
The feud between Will Smith and Chris Rock is hopefully over.
On Sunday night, Rock made a comment about Smith being married to “G.I. Jane,” poking fun at Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia – an autoimmune disease that causes her to lose her hair. The “King Richard” actor shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f---ing mouth” before he stormed the stage and slapped Rock.
When Smith later took the stage to give his acceptance speech for Best Actor, he apologized to the Academy and to the nominees, but not to Rock himself. On Monday night, the “Pursuit of Happiness” actor seemed to reflect on the events of Sunday night and issued a heartfelt apology.
Will Smith Apologizes To Chris Rock: ‘I Am Embarrassed’
View this post on Instagram
Smith began the post by saying, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive.”
“My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” he continued. “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,” he went on. “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,” he concluded. “Sincerely, Will.”
![Will Smith Chris Rock](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2022/03/Will-Smith-Chris-Rock.webp?)
Comments on the post were disabled. It seems that Rock may have already accepted Smith's apology, considering the LAPD put out a statement saying that Rock had declined to press charges against him.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” a spokesperson from the department said. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
However, it appears that the Academy may be pursuing disciplinary action of its own.
Is Will Smith About To Lose His Academy Award?
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
Shortly after the incident took place on Sunday night, the Academy posted a tweet that read “The Academy does not condone violence in any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”
On Monday, PEOPLE reported the Academy’s follow-up statement, which condemned the new Academy Award winner and his actions.
![Will Smith smacked Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2022/03/MEGA842408_017-scaled-e1648476872723.jpg?)
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night's show,” the statement read. “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.”
The organization’s Standards of Conduct, which were established in 2017 after a series of sexual misconduct scandals, are said to “provide an ethical framework for Academy members” and states that “members should act in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the Academy.”
![Will Smith](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2022/03/Will-Smith.webp?)
The document lists “physical contact that is uninvited and, in the situation, inappropriate and unwelcome” as an example of unacceptable conduct. The document also states that “the Academy may take any disciplinary action permitted by the Academy’s Bylaws, up to and including suspension of membership or expulsion from membership.”
One inside source told the New York Post that what Smith did is “basically assault” and hinted that the Academy may be considering taking back Smith’s first-ever Oscar.
“Everyone was just so shocked in the room; it was so uncomfortable,” the source said. “I think Will would not want to give his Oscar back, but who knows what will happen now.”