While sitting in her suburban Philadelphia home watching the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith’s mother, Carolyn Smith, admits she was as stunned as everyone when her son walked on stage and smacked comedian Chris Rock.
“He is a very even, people person," Smith, 85, told ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI. "That’s the first time I’ve ever seen him go off. First time in his lifetime... I’ve never seen him do that."
As Today reported, Carolyn and family experienced a flood of emotions as the evening progressed. Less than an hour after the incident, Smith won his first Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of the Venus and Serena Williams, in "King Richard."
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And Carolyn was extremely proud.
"I know how he works, how hard he works...I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting," Smith said, adding, "When I heard the name, I was just, ‘Yes!’”
During the live ceremony, the 57-year-old comedian made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, prior to presenting the award for Best Documentary. Rock pointed to Jada and made joke about her appearing in a sequel to “G.I. Jane” because of her shaved head. Pinkett Smith has a medical condition called alopecia. That's when Smith decided to take matters into his own hands as he walked up to Rock and smacked him.
Rock declined to file a police report, the LAPD revealed.
A day after the Oscars, Smith posted a full apology to the Academy, fans, and Chris Rock via his Instagram. It read, in part, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. 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."
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"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris," Smith continued. "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.”
As previously reported, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is conducting a formal review of the whole incident "and will explore further action and consequences."
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As the New York Post reported, the union SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), which Smith belongs to, also released a stern online statement and will be registering its own discipline.
“As the union representing presenters and other performers working on the Oscars,” the statement read, “SAG-AFTRA is focused on ensuring our members always work in a safe environment. Violence or physical abuse in the workplace is never appropriate and the union condemns any such conduct. The incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable.”
Regardless of the outcome, Smith’s mother is standing by her son: “I am proud of him being him.”
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