Tennis legend Serena Williams has opened up about the Oscar moment last year that overshadowed the entire Academy Awards spectacle, as the movie about her father was nominated six times and Will Smith won Best Actor.
However, it was Smith’s reaction to Chris Rock’s joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, that caught the world’s attention last March. Williams, whose father was portrayed in «King Richard,» spoke to CBS’s Gayle King about the famous moment.
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Serena Williams looks on against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic during the women’s singles third round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
(Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
«I thought it was such an amazing movie, and I feel like there was an amazing movie after that with Questlove that was overshadowed,» he said. «But I also feel like I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’m the kind of person who says, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve made a mistake. It’s not the end of the world.
«We’re all imperfect, and we’re all human, and let’s be kind to each other. So, that’s often forgotten a lot.»
In July, Smith spoke about the slap in a video posted to YouTube.
SERENA WILLIAMS INVITES THE RETURN OF TENNIS AFTER HER RECENT RETIREMENT: ‘TOM BRADY STARTED A REALLY COOL TREND’
Serena Williams of the United States looks frustrated during her match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia in the third round of women’s singles at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2022 in New York. Town.
(Frey/TPN/Getty Images)
He apologized to Rock’s family and admitted that the choice he made to hit the comedian was his own.
«I can tell all of you, there’s not a part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave at that time,» Smith said. «There’s not a part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.»
Smith ended the video by explaining that «letting people down» is his «core trauma.»
«I hate when I let people down,» Smith said. «So, it hurts me. It hurts me psychologically and emotionally to know that I didn’t live up to the image and the impression that people had of me and the work that I’m trying to do. I’m deeply sorry and I’m trying to be sorry without ashamed of myself.»
Will Smith, left, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
(Alberto E. Rodríguez/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
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«I am human,» he continued. «And I made a mistake, and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of s–t. So, I would say to those people, I know it was confusing. I know it was shocking, but I promise you I’m deeply dedicated and committed to bringing light and love and joy into the world, and you know if you hold on, I promise we can be friends again.»
Fox News’ Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.