For the first time since the momentous slap that happened during the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith has joked about the event that changed the course of his three decade career in the entertainment industry.
The 54-year-old actor struck comedian Chris Rock as a result of the joke at Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia areata triggered by health stressors and, at the Academy Awards last year, Rock said that she looked like the character G. I. Jane in the titular 1997 film. The public reaction to the slap was divisive as some sympathised with why Smith stepped up to defend his wife's self-esteem however others condemned the actor for violence in front of an audience of millions.
"My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable," said Smith in his official statement subsequent to the event. "I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements."
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2022's Emancipation tells the true story of Peter, an African-American man who escaped slavery and showed the world the cruelty that he had suffered on plantations. Check out the trailer, starring Smith as Peter, here:
Smith has suffered consequences for that night, like the fact that he is now barred from attending Academy events for the next 10 years, the cancellation of a handful of his upcoming projects like the sequel to Bright, and delays to Emancipation as the production companies waited for the hubbub to fade out.
On TikTok, though, it seems that the actor is able to laugh at himself. In a response to a woman's video that claims that an object can communicate how it feels about the person holding it, Smith picks up his Oscar. As a reminder, he won this for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the biopic King Richard.
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Smith regards the Oscar and then pulls a pained expression, apparently receiving the energy from the award that isn't so impressed with his actions last year. "A hard watch but worth it," said one fan with a laughing emoji. "Will Smith doing what Will Smith does. We miss this," added another.
Featured Image Credit: Robyn Beck, Will Smith via TikTokTopics: TV And Film