Shortly after smacking the piss out of Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, Will Smith accepted the award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. During his acceptance speech, he addressed the altercation with Rock. Here's what he said:
Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I've ever met. I got to protect Saniyya and Demi, the two actresses who played Venus and Serena.
I am being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. You got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business you got to have people disrespecting you. And you got to smile and pretend like that’s okay. But Richard Williams, and what I loved—thank you, D.
Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, "At your highest moment that’s when the devil comes for you." It’s like, I want to be a vessel for love. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena. I just spit. I hope they didn’t see that on TV. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story.
That’s what I do. I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern.
I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment, and I’m not... I'm not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all the people… Tim and Trevor and Zach and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of King Richard. Venus and Serena. The entire Williams family.
Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things. To my mother, a lot of this moment is really complicated for me, but to my mother. She didn’t want to come out; she has her knitting friends. She has a knitting crew in Philly that she's watching with.
Being able to love and care for my mother, my family, my wife. I'm taking up too much time. Thank you for this honor. Thank you for this moment. I thank you on behalf of Richard and the entire Williams family. Thank you, I hope the Academy invites me back.
