• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture
  • Oscars

Will Smith addresses Oscars slap, apologizes to Chris Rock in new video

3:23
Watch key moments in Will Smith's Oscars slap apology video
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
ByCarson Blackwelder and Hayley FitzPatrick
July 29, 2022, 2:39 PM

Will Smith has apologized to Chris Rock for slapping the comedian at the Oscars earlier this year, addressing the incident in a new video posted to social media.

"It's been a minute..." the text at the beginning of the video reads. "Over the last few months, I've been doing a lot of thinking and personal work... You asked a lot of fair questions that I wanted to take some time to answer."

Related Articles

MORE: Oscars 2022: Will Smith apologizes to Academy in acceptance speech after Chris Rock confrontation

The first question Smith answered was why he didn't apologize to Rock in his acceptance speech after winning the best actor statuette for "King Richard."

Smith said he was "fogged out by that point" and the events are "all fuzzy."

Smith said he has reached out to Rock and the response he got was that the comedian is "not ready to talk," adding that, when Rock does feel ready, "he will reach out" to Smith.

"So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you," the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" alum said. "My behavior was unacceptable and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk."

Will Smith, right, slaps Chris Rock onstage after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., March 27, 2022.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

During this year's Oscars ceremony, held March 27, Smith walked onstage and slapped Rock, who was presenting, after the comedian made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, starring in a nonexistent sequel to "G.I. Jane."

The 1997 film starred Demi Moore playing the first woman to enter Navy SEAL training.

Rock presumably made the joke because of Pinkett Smith's shaved head, as Moore famously shaved her head for the role.

Related Articles

MORE: Chris Rock breaks silence on Will Smith slap at 1st show since Oscars

Pinkett Smith had previously been candid about her struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder which attacks hair follicles, by sharing social media posts about her hair loss and the decision to shave her head.

Following the infamous slap, Smith apologized, resigned his membership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences -- the organization behind the Oscars -- and the academy banned the actor from any academy event or program, including the Oscars, for 10 years.

Related Articles

MORE: Academy bans Will Smith from attending Oscars for 10 years

Smith also apologized to Rock's mother, Rosalie, because he saw an interview she did and how hurt she was by the situation. He also apologized to Rock's brother, Tony, saying their previously "great relationship" was now "probably irreparable."

"That was one of the things about that moment I just didn't realize, and, you know, I wasn't thinking, but how many people got hurt in that moment," Smith said this week of the altercation.

As for how he feels looking back on the incident, Smith said he's spent the last few months "replaying and understanding the nuances and the complexities of what happened in that moment."

Editor’s Picks

Academy bans Will Smith from attending Oscars for 10 years

  • Apr 08, 2022

Oscars producer shares what happened right after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock

  • Mar 31, 2022

Oscars 2022: Peter Travers on the wild show's highs and lows

  • Mar 28, 2022

"I'm not going to try to unpack all of that right now," he said. "But I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There's no part of me that thinks that's the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults."

Another question Smith tackled was if Pinkett Smith told him to do something after rolling her eyes at Rock's joke. To that, he said a firm "no."

Related Articles

MORE: Jada Pinkett Smith says her family is 'healing' in new episode of 'Red Table Talk'

"I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences, from my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it," he said, apologizing to his family for his actions and the negative attention they received because of them.

"I'm sorry, babe. I wanna say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us," he said.

From left, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow Smith, Will Smith, Jaden Smith, and Trey Smith, pose for a photo at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., March 27, 2022.
Future Publishing via Getty Images, FILE

Smith then addressed his fellow nominees and winners, saying "it really breaks my heart to have stolen and tarnished your moment."

He specifically addressed Questlove, who accepted the award for best documentary for his film, "Summer of Soul," moments after the slap.

"I can still see Questlove's eyes," he said. "You know, it happened on Questlove's award and, you know, it's like, 'I'm sorry' really isn't sufficient."

He then shared what he would say to those who "looked up" to him before the moment or those who expressed that his behavior that night "let them down."

Related Articles

MORE: Oscars 2022: Complete winners list for the 94th Academy Awards

"So there's two things: One, disappointing people is my central trauma," he said. "I hate when I let people down, so it hurts."

Smith said it impacts him "psychologically and emotionally" to know that he "didn't live up to people's image and impression" of him.

"...I am deeply remorseful and I'm trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself," he stated. "I'm human, and I made a mistake. And I'm trying not to think of myself as a piece of s---."

Addressing those disappointed members of his fan base, he added, "I know it was confusing, I know it was shocking, but I promise you, I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world. And, you know, if you hang on, I promise we'll be able to be friends again."

Watch Smith's full video below:

Related Topics

  • Oscars

Editor’s Picks

Academy bans Will Smith from attending Oscars for 10 years

  • Apr 08, 2022

Oscars producer shares what happened right after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock

  • Mar 31, 2022

Oscars 2022: Peter Travers on the wild show's highs and lows

  • Mar 28, 2022

Up Next in Culture—

Jon Bernthal reported to join Tom Holland in upcoming 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

June 21, 2025

Prince William turns 43! Royal family shares sweet tributes and family photo with the puppies

June 21, 2025

Fat Joe accused of sex trafficking, fraud in new lawsuit

June 20, 2025

'Bridgerton' season 4 marks end of production

June 20, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News