Photo: Getty Images
Will Smith has addressed the status of his relationship with Chris Rock following his infamous Oscars slap.
On Wednesday (January 29), the artist and actor appeared at "iHeartRadio Live with Will Smith: An Exclusive World Premiere Event," where he debuted his new single "Beautiful Scars," featuring Big Sean.
Smith also revealed where he stands with Rock after he slapped the comedian at the 2022 Oscars. When asked if he had made "peace" with Rock, Smith repeatedly said: "We have not spoken."
Smith’s comment on Rock came after he detailed the inspiration behind "Beautiful Scars" during the interview portion of iHeartRadio’s exclusive event. "An adversity can turn into a stepping stone," Smith said.
The Bad Boys actor then joked about his inner scars revealing themselves at the Oscars where he slapped Rock.
"And if you are not careful they may come out at the Oscars," Smith quipped.
During the 94th Academy Awards, Rock was presenting the award for Best Documentary when he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock’s joke about Pinkett Smith, who’s been open about her alopecia diagnosis, compared her shaved head to G.I. Jane. Smith promptly got up on stage with Rock and slapped the comedian, telling him “Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth."
Later that night, the "Beautiful Scars" artist took home the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard. However, in the fallout of the slap, Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years, and he resigned from the Academy.
Smith later apologized for the incident, saying the slap was "out of line" and "wrong." He also explained in his apology that "a joke about Jada’s medical condition [due to alopecia] was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally." The actor maintained that his actions were "unacceptable and inexcusable," adding that "violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive."
iHeartRadio’s exclusive event marked Smith’s recent return to music. Last year, Smith released several songs, including "You Can Make It," featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, "Work Of Art," featuring Russ and the King Richard star’s son, Jaden Smith, and "Tantrum," featuring Joyner Lucas. He last released an album in 2005.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.
