Richard Williams, the man who Will Smith portrayed in King Richard, has offered his thoughts on the actor slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. Watch the moment here:
The actor won his first-ever Academy Award for playing Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard.
Advert
It was a momentous moment for Smith, who hadn't been nominated since 2007 - but it was overshadowed by his altercation with Rock earlier in the ceremony.
The comedian came on-stage to present the Best Documentary Feature award. As you'd expect, he had a few light jabs at the audience, starting with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, Denzel Washington and then, Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Referencing her shaved head, due to her suffering from alopecia, Rock said he couldn't wait for G.I. Jane 2. Soon after, Smith took to the stage and smacked him in the face, before warning him to 'keep [his] wife's name out [his] f***ing mouth'.
Speaking to NBC News via his son Chavoita LeSane, Williams said: "We don’t know all the details of what happened. But we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defence."
Advert
Williams didn't comment on Smith name-checking him in his Oscar acceptance speech. Neither of the Williams sisters have commented on the incident.
The actor said: "Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world."
Later, he continued: "Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said. I look like the crazy father just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things."
Advert
Watch Smith's speech below:
While initially swerving an apology directly to Rock, he instead said sorry to the Academy and his 'fellow nominees'. But Smith has since published a full apology on Instagram amid the social media storm around the slap, as well as the Academy's formal condemnation.
He wrote: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.
Advert
"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 apologise 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."
Topics: Will Smith, TV and Film, Celebrity
Cameron Frew