Richard Williams defends actor Will Smith over Oscars slap | Ents & Arts News
The father of Venus and Serena Williams has defended actor Will Smith over his slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars – marking almost a year since the incident.
Smith, 54, plays Richard Williams in the biopic King Richard, which won him the Best Actor award at last year’s 94th Academy Awards.
Last year’s ceremony also saw Smith get up on stage and slap Rock in the face following comments the comedian made about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith apologized to Rock after the incident but he was banned from any academy events or programs for 10 years.
Mr Williams, 81, who recently recovered from a series of health conditions, shared his support for Smith, saying he “feels no regrets” for the Rock.
“I think he did the best that he needed to do, but I will never hate Mr. Smith. In fact, I appreciate Mr. Smith,” he told Good Morning Britain.
When asked if he saw anything wrong at the Oscars, Williams said: “I don’t see anything wrong with that.”
He added: “It’s time for everyone to forgive Will Smith.”
Interview to a day after Rock made the slap comment on his Netflix special Chris Rock: Selective Outrage.
He said: “You all know what happened to me when I was hit by Suge Smith. Everyone knows. Yes, it happened, I was beaten like a year ago.
“People ask, does it hurt? It still hurts. I hear Summertime tinnitus. But I’m not the victim, honey, you’ll never see me cry on Oprah. You’ll never see that. that will never happen.
“I took that hit just like (former Manny) Pacquiao.”