Will Smith has finally done his first interview since the infamous Oscars moment that saw him slap Chris Rock across the face on stage.
The actor – who went on to win an Academy Award for King Richard that same night – chose to speak to Trevor Noah on The Daily Show last night.
Will has kept quite a low profile since The Slap, but will return to our screens soon in new AppleTV film Emancipation.
In his interview, he said he had a lot of ‘bottled rage’ which exploded in a very public setting after comedian Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head.
Will got visibly emotional when discussing his nephew’s reaction.
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He said: “My nephew is nine. He is the sweetest little boy.
“We came home. He had stayed up late to see his uncle Will and we are sitting in my kitchen and he is on my lap and he is holding the Oscar and he is just like, ‘Why did you hit that man, Uncle Will?’”
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He then took out his tissues and said: “Damn it. Why are you trying to Oprah me?”
“I was gone. That was a rage that had been bottled for a really long time,” Smith said.
Will then explained: “{It was a lot of things, it was the little boy that watched his father beat up his mother. All of that just bubbled up in that moment. That’s not who I want to be…”
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He also said: “There’s many nuances and complexities to it. But at the end of the day, I just – I lost it, you know.
“I guess what I would say is that you just never know what somebody’s going through. I was going through something that night, you know? Not that that justifies my behaviour at all.”
Flash back to March and the week of the Oscars, and the award ceremony host Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s alopecia, comparing her shaved head to GI Jane.
Will Smith and Lupita N’yongo at the Oscars this year.:
The joke didn’t go down well with the couple, needless to say, with Smith hopping up on stage to deliver a firm slap across Rock’s face.
He was later heard shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth” while Hollywood’s elite looked on in shock.
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His full statement at the time said: “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.
“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.”
Featured image: Comedy Central
TV & Showbiz
The Sopranos stars finally visit much-loved Manchester sandwich shop inspired by the show
Danny Jones
In what feels like an inevitable story in the making for a long time now, members of The Sopranos cast have finally visited the popular Manchester sandwich spot inspired by the show, Bada Bing.
We know were biased, but we believe there’s an argument to be made that the beloved Manc butty shop has perhaps an even more fervent cult following than die-hard viewers of the hit American TV drama.
In case you somehow still don’t know the connection, Bada Bing is named after the strip club where several of the main characters work and spend a lot of their time.
Having returned to Manchester city centre back in 2024 after a successful first stint, they’ve been busier than ever, and that famous local name seems to have spread further than ever, including all the way over to the States, where actors from the original show caught wind and have now made the pilgrimage.
You might wonder why they didn’t name it after the butchers and deli, Satriale’s, or maybe even Artie Bucco’s oft-featured restaurant, Vesuvio. Both seem pretty ideal, right?
But let’s be honest, Bada Bing just has a better ring to it; there’s no denying that.
Either way, when series stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa came over to Manchester last week for a live edition of their podcast (which has just wrapped a limited UK tour) at the O2 Apollo.
But whilst they were here, they also made sure to visit a lunchtime joint that we’re sure Tony, Paulie, Christoper, Silvio and all of The Sopranos regulars would approve of.
While they didn’t quite perch out on the stoop with an espresso and a cigar, they did pose with co-owner Sam Gormally for a quick photo op outside the door.
Oh, and we don’t even need to confirm whether or not they liked the heroes – we just know they did.
‘Chris’ Moltisanti himself, Imperioli, also hopped on social media to share another key moment from his visit to the region:
Writing on their TikTok post, the Babd Bing boys dubbed it a “full circle moment” and reiterated that they still “can’t believe this just happened.
To be honest, we’ve barely got over it ourselves, and we’re just very big fans of the place.
We simply cannot imagine how surreal that day must have been for the whole team and everyone involved, and we hope we get a fun new special toasting the pair’s appearance sometime soon.
Featured Images — Bada Bing/Michael Imperioli (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Harry Styles’ One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary
Daisy Jackson
A new Harry Styles special is coming to Netflix, it’s been announced today.
The star will be performing a ‘One Night Only’ special in Manchester this week, to celebrate the release of his new album.
Tickets for the (relatively) intimate gig at the Co-op Live were like gold dust – but even if you missed out, it looks like you’ll be able to get a slice of the action.
Netflix and Harry Styles have both today teased what appears to be a special documentary, set for release just two days after the show itself.
‘Harry Styles, One Night in Manchester’ will drop on the streaming platform at 7pm on Sunday 8 March.
The teaser trailer shows behind-the-scenes footage of the former One Direction star rehearsing in the studio.
He also jokingly makes the iconic ‘tudum’ Netflix sound straight into the mic before cracking a charming smile at the camera.
Harry Styles will be performing in Manchester on Friday 6 March, to mark the release of his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally.
The album is also set for release the same day.
He performed the first single from the album, Aperture, at the BRIT Awards on Saturday night – but his One Night Only show will be fans’ first time to hear the rest of the album live.
Netflix posted: “Ready. Steady. Go.
“Harry Styles. One Night In Manchester. Premieres March 8 at 7pm GMT/12pm PT on Netflix.”
Daisy Jackson -
29th November 2022 
