Jada Pinkett Smith Speaks Out After Will Smith Slapping Incident

Jada Pinkett Smith arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party during the 94th Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 27, 2022. (Danny Moloshok/Reuters)

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith issued her first full statement after her husband, actor Will Smith, slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Oscar Awards broadcast.

In remarks on Wednesday, Pinkett Smith claimed her family is “focusing on deep healing” after the March 27 incident that saw the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences penalize her husband.

“Considering all that has happened in the last few weeks, the Smith family has been focusing on deep healing,” she said via “Red Table Talk,” which is featured on Facebook Watch. Days after the slap, the actress shared a vague message on Instagram about healing.

“Some of the discoveries around our healing will be shared at the table when the time calls. Until then …the table will continue offering itself to powerful, inspiring, and healing testimonies like that of our incredibly impressive first guest,” Pinkett Smith also said.

During the incident, Rock, who was presenting an award, make a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, prompting her husband to walk on the stage, approach Rock, and slap him. Will Smith later won a Best Actor award for “King Richard.”

Rock declined to press charges, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Smith later issued an apology on social media and days later, resigned from the Academy.

This combination of pictures shows actor Will Smith (R) approaching actor Chris Rock during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on March 27, 2022. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

On April 8, the Academy revealed that it would ban Smith from attending the Oscars show for the next 10 years as punishment for the slap.

“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,” Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement at the time. No other punitive measures were handed down.

“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,” the Academy also said.

In response, Smith apologized again and said, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”

Rock, meanwhile, has issued few public comments about the matter. He’s currently embarking on a multi-city comedy tour.