Chris Rockcontinues to keep things positive.
The comedian, 57, returned to The Wilbur in Boston on Thursday, following two standup shows the night before at which he broke his silence about the94th Academy Awards.
At Rock’s shows on Wednesday — his first appearance since presenting at the Academy Awards — he said that he was “still processing what happened” over the weekend. During his late-night set, he also told the crowd, “I haven’t talked to anyone, despite what you heard.”
Chris Rock.Michael Loccisano/Getty
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Seconds later, Smith, 53, walked onstage and approached Rock,smacking him in front of the audienceand millions watching the telecast at home. Back at his table, Smith shouted to a stunned Rock: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—–g mouth.” Smith remained seated with his wife at his table for the rest of the night. Rock declined to press charges.
When Smith won Best Actor later in the ceremony, he apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees,but did not mention Rock. In his tearful speech, he spoke about acting out of love and protection, saying, “Love makes you do crazy things.”
On Monday, Smithpublicly apologized to Rockin a statement shared on Instagram, saying, “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.”
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He also said, “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.”
“… I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and myKing RichardFamily,” continued Smith. “I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
Also on Monday, the Academy said in a statement, “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show. We haveofficially started a formal reviewaround the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”
On Wednesday, the Academy said that Smith wasactually asked to leaveafter the incident but “refused.”
“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” read a statement issued to PEOPLE. “While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.”
Wednesday’s statement from the Academy also said, “The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.”
Oscars producerWill Packerwill appear Friday onGood Morning America, giving T.J. Holmes his account of how the debacle unfolded on Sunday’s awards show, after the Academy said Smith wasasked to leave.
source: people.com
