Stephen A. Smith Says Will Smith 'Damaged' Chris Rock And Demands An Explanation: Chris Will 'Never Get Over That'
Stephen A. Smith insists that Will Smith must speak directly to the Black community after the Oscars resulted in what he called irreparable harm to Chris Rock.
In a statement on Sunday, the seasoned sportscaster expressed his discomfort in watching Smith's films since the widely-publicized incident in 2022.
"Chris Rock is damaged," Stephen stated in a recent episode of the 'Stephen A. Smith Show.' "Chris Rock will never get over that. Ever."
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"Will Smith apologized. I'm not saying he even has to apologize," he continued. "I'm saying that while I watch him and Martin Lawrence promoting this movie, and I'm quite sure the reason he hasn't addressed it is because the studios don't want him to, and there's an obligation that you have with them. All fair, I get it."
"But somewhere along the way, he has to sit down and talk to the Black community. You see all the white people around Will Smith all you want to, Black folks have loved and revered this man for decades," Stephen, 56, said.
Stephen reiterated his admiration for the actor but emphasized the necessity for Smith to address the Black community.
"You got to have a conversation as to why you did that. It's primarily us Black people that have loved and supported you and watched you go on an international stage and slap one of us in the face," he remarked. "A lot of folks ain't get over that. A lot of folks find it hard to just go to the movies to watch you. I'm one of those people, and I never missed a Will Smith movie."
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Stephen's comments followed the success of Smith's film 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die,' which exceeded expectations by earning $56 million during its domestic opening weekend and $104 million worldwide.
Rock was slapped by Smith, 55, after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head live on stage in 2022.
Smith, who went on to win Best Actor Award for his role as Richard Williams in 'King Richard,' apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and other nominees, but not to Rock, during his acceptance speech.
The Philadelphia native apologized to Rock, 59, the following day on social media in a statement. "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," he said. "There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."
On April 1, 2022, Smith resigned his Academy membership and was banned from attending AMPAS events for 10 years.
