Denzel Washington has spoken up for the first time on the 2022 Oscars and his reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on the platform of the Dolby Theatre during the ceremony.
On Saturday, the Oscar winner joined author and pastor T.D. Jakes for a discussion about Washington’s career and faith as part of his International Leadership Summit. During the panel, the topic turned to Smith’s unscripted slap of Rock after the comedian and presenter made a reference to Jada Pinkett Smith, her bald hairstyle, and the film G.I. Jane during Sunday night’s Oscars.
Following the slap, Washington, who was nominated for Macbeth, was spotted chatting to Smith with writer-director Tyler Perry ahead of Smith’s best actor win and teary-eyed acceptance speech, which doubled as an apology to the Academy.
During the Saturday event, Jakes told Washington that he had “walked into the thick of World War III,” to which the actor answered with a laugh. “There’s an old adage that says if the devil ignores you, you’re doing something wrong.” ‘Oh no, leave him alone,’ says the devil. “He’s my favorite,” Washington joked before growing more sombre. “On the other hand, if the devil comes after you, it could be because you’re attempting to do the right thing.
Washington went on to claim that luckily, several were present, including Perry, who he said came over right away and joined Smith in prayer. The actor refused to comment on what the two men said at the time, and he also refused to condemn Smith. “If it weren’t for the grace of God, none of us would be here.” “Who are we to judge?” Washington had inquired. “I don’t know all the details of the scenario, but I do know that praying was the only option.”
When the question of the actor remaining in his seat was brought up later in the panel, Washington told Jakes that staying in his seat was not an option for him. “I wouldn’t have been able to sit in my seat.”
He stated, “There was no way I could have sat in my seat.” “That’s not who I am at all.”
Smith announced his resignation from the Academy on Friday, citing a pending investigation into his activities at the ceremony. Smith stated in a statement that he had answered to the Academy’s notice of disciplinary proceeding and that he intends to “completely embrace any and all repercussions” for his actions. Smith had earlier apologized to the Academy during the event, and he again apologized to Rock in a statement uploaded to his Instagram on Monday. “I was wrong and out of line.” “I’m humiliated, and my actions did not reflect the guy I aspire to be,” he stated.
Following Smith’s resignation, Academy president David Rubin acknowledged that the group had accepted the actor’s resignation. The Academy had begun disciplinary proceedings against Smith following a meeting of its board of governors earlier in the week. “In advance of our next planned board meeting on April 18, we will continue to move through with our disciplinary processes against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct,” the statement added.
