Will Smith is still having to discuss his all-too-human moment at this year’s Oscars ceremony, and he fully realizes the impact it will have on his career going forward. In a new interview, the star actor hopes that his actions won’t deter viewers from seeing his new film Emancipation, and some on Twitter are defending the former Fresh Prince after he’s shown heavy remorse for his actions.
Will Smith, 54, recently sat down with Fox 5 DC film journalist Kevin McCarthy via the Good Day DC morning program when he shared that he would understand if viewers would be hesitant to watch Emancipation given the actions that occurred earlier in the year.
"I completely understand that if…someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready…My deepest hope is that my actions don't penalize my team."
Will Smith on audiences who aren't ready to watch his films after Oscars. #GoodDayDC pic.twitter.com/2fc3XaXbMa
— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) November 28, 2022
“I completely understand if someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready,” Smith began. “My deepest concern is [for] my team. [Director] Antonie [Fuqua] has done what I think is the greatest work of his entire career.”
Smith ended the statement with, “My deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team.”
As noted above, Smith has apologized to Chris Rock publically and behind the scenes. And while it does appear that the image of the still-popular actor took a hit, it was not to the degree some would imagine given the support he’s currently enjoying online.
Many on Twitter are saying that Smith has held himself accountable by apologizing at length and owning up to his massive mistake. Those same Twitter users are pointing out the outrage hypocrisy considering other entertainers are on the hook for actions that went far beyond what Smith did but haven’t faced the same level of scrutiny.
Keep scrolling to see Twitter standing up for Will Smith below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
Any moviegoer originally planning to see a movie on violent horrors of slavery but wouldn’t over a slap should simply be told to STFU, and to take their head out of their privileged ass. All interviewers should cease asking Will Smith these ridiculous questions. https://t.co/jyWzMStpU9
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) November 29, 2022
2.
Will Smith was wrong on several levels but it's over & he owned up to it. He's not the face of violence in Hollywood. A quick google search will show you a list of men who beat & assaulted women & they work & don't look like Will Smith. https://t.co/G8R6aWbD97
— TONYDaDome (@EnterDaDome) November 29, 2022
3.
Respectfully, Will Smith and Harvey Weinstein shouldn’t even be in the same sentence.
What each of them did couldn’t be more different — and it’s ridiculous and insulting to try to compare the two. https://t.co/uO9cfA3Xdr
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) November 28, 2022
4.
I just… can’t consider the slap in a vacuum, Sean Penn and all these other white and violent abusers who never faced any career consequences, it’s insane we’re having this conversation about Will Smith. https://t.co/nvE68UsbDJ
— Lyra, Esq., is NOT DAREDEVIL (@PinkRangerLB) November 29, 2022
5.
I will continue to say Will Smith did nothing wrong and the media’s need to continue to shame him while deep throating other sick twisted freaks in Hollywood is making me support him even more than before https://t.co/FB5pelho2U
— TV Fanatic
(@TvKhaleesi) November 29, 2022
6.
Ppl were hurt, because we love you and we love what you do. I think I speak for people when I say I don't want that to define you. I hope you don't stay hidden forever. I hope you know that you not being perfect is what'll make you perfect. You're Will Smith, man!
~ Trevor Noah. pic.twitter.com/PA5SWxrMdZ
— Joel Khamadi (@Joel_Khamadi) November 29, 2022
7.
I’m never going to forgive y’all for carrying on like Will Smith shot that man.
— (Le)Troy (@mrLdavis) November 29, 2022
8.
Disrespectfully. Comparing Will Smith slapping a dude at the Oscars to Harvey Weinstein's decades-long sexual assault of women is racist. There is no other word for it. https://t.co/EeUD1mhUUp
— ZAK Loves Lavender Haze (@Zakiyyah6) November 28, 2022
9.
Brad Pitt is seemingly facing minimal, if any, backlash to the objectively troubling allegations of domestic abuse by him against his family, yet Will Smith is literally only allowed to grovel for forgiveness more than a half year after slapping someone for insulting his wife… https://t.co/xiQUoSwhVS
— jordph (bot) (@jordph) November 28, 2022
10.
It does seem quite revealing how Hollywood continues to push Will Smith as a figure of abject shame, all while we've been barraged with thinkpieces on how transphobes and accused abusers will be welcomed back to work with open arms because of cancel culture or whatever. https://t.co/nx0v07oPwY
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) November 28, 2022
11.
will smith smacked someone and takes full accountability, apologizes, and in general handles the entire situation very well meanwhile every other terrible person in hollywood does things that are far worse & are allowed to continue working without even acknowledging their actions https://t.co/Qkjz8JFR1D
— Giulia
(@illjoy_) November 28, 2022
12.
Will Smith slapped a dude and folks are acting like he had dinner with a holocaust denier and white supremacist after attempting to overthrow a legitimate election https://t.co/hrAQTCS1rD
— what a Metstake
(@ChristinaMets15) November 28, 2022
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