Reflection time. Will Smith has shared candid thoughts about his 10-year ban from the Oscars, reflecting on the aftermath of the 2022 incident involving Chris Rock. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, the 56-year-old actor spoke openly about the consequences of his actions and his journey toward self-improvement.
“I’m looking to be the best human I can possibly be, and I’m gonna take what I get with that,” Smith said, demonstrating humility and introspection.
The iconic Academy Award winner also revealed how this challenging period inspired his first album in two decades, Based on a True Story. He explained that the fallout from the incident led him to rediscover his passion for music, using it as an outlet for self-exploration.
“I’ve taken the last couple of years to really do a deep dive on the parts of me that may or may not have been in that level of certainty and asking those deep, scary internal questions,” Smith shared. “It really is the result of my initial self-examination. Every song is about some part of myself that I discovered or wanted to explore, something I wanted to share. It’s the most full musical offering that I’ve ever created.”
ICYMI, following the 2022 Oscars, Smith publicly apologized to Rock, acknowledging his mistake. “Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk,” he said at the time.
Though Rock initially rejected the apology, his perspective seems to have softened. In a recent interview with Variety, the comedian touched on forgiveness and moving forward.
“You never know. This is what I would say—the most miserable people on earth are people that can’t forgive. And not just people, you have to forgive yourself sometimes, too. So, hey, you never know… I live in forgiveness. True love starts at forgiveness,” Rock said.
Maybe they should just hug it out and be done with the smoke.