Oscars 2022: Will Smith apologises to Academy in tearful speech but not Chris Rock

The winner of the Best Actor award at Oscars 2022, Will Smith, has apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees for slapping comedian, Chris Rock.

Rock had made a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head while introducing the documentary category of the award show.

After slapping Rock and telling him to keep his wife out of his mouth, Smith went on to win the Best Actor Oscar for his role in King Richard.

In his tearful acceptance speech, the actor said, “I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people.”

In between the slap and his best actor win, veteran actor, Denzel Washington had offered Smith the following advice; “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”