Will Smith travels to India for 'spiritual purposes' following Oscars slap
27 April 2022, 15:34
Watch the full confrontation between Will Smith and Chris Rock live on the Oscars stage after gag about Jada Pinkett Smith
The King Richard actor was seen for the first time since the slap in India for spiritual purposes after admitting that "change takes time, and he's willing to do the work"
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Will Smith has reportedly travelled to India to seek peace following the slapping incident at 2022 Academy Awards after he was spotted for the first time arriving at a private airport in Mumbai.
Will Smith & Jada could have 'one of the ugliest divorces in showbiz history' after Oscars drama
A source close to the actor told PEOPLE Magazine that 'Will traveled to India for spiritual purposes, to practice yoga and meditation' following him being banned from the Academy Awards for 10 years.
AMPAS president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson released a statement on about Smith's ban a week after the incident that read:
"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards" he said.
"The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage".
Watch slow-motion clip of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars
Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock in the face during the live airing of the show after he joked about Jada's hair loss on stage whilst presenting the award for Best Documentary saying "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see ya".
Smith then walked onstage, slapped him in the face before returning to his seat yelling "keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth" twice.
After the incident, Smith shared his first statement apologising to Rock for his behaviour saying:
"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 like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. 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" the statement continues.
"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 my King Richard Family. 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. Sincerely, Will".
On Sunday 24th, Rock's mum Rosalie Rock spoke out for the first time in an interview with a South Carolina TV station, giving her opinion on the incident.
"When he [Will] slapped Chris, he slapped all of us" she said, continuing "He really slapped me. You reacted to your wife giving you the side-eye and you went and made her day because she was mulled over laughing when it happened".
"No one even heard his speech. No one was able to just be in the moment, because everyone was sitting there like, ‘What just happened?’".
