Will Smith, who recently slapped Chris Rock on the stage for making a joke during the Oscars ceremony, apologized to the Academy but not to Rock.
Will Smith became emotional as he received Best Actor in the leading role and went to the stage with a teary eye. During his speech, he apologized to the Academy and many others, but not to Rock. Smith drew parallels between the moment he was having and the life of the man he played onscreen — Richard Williams, father to Serena and Venus.
During the speech, Smith looked to his right and said, ‘Thank you D’, to fellow Oscar winner Denzel Washington, who was sitting up front with tears in his own eyes. “Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, at your highest moment, be careful, because that’s when the devil comes for you,” said Smith.
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He then took a long pause and gathered himself. “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment,” he said. “To my mother — this moment is really complicated for me — to my mother…being able to love and care for my mother and my family, my wife,” he said, motioning to Jada, who sat beaming in the audience.
