Will Smith has addressed the ongoing tension with Chris Rock, nearly two years after the infamous Oscars slap. Speaking at iHeartRadio Live with Will Smith: An Exclusive World Premiere Event on January 29, where he debuted his new single “Beautiful Scars” featuring Big Sean, Smith opened up about his relationship with Rock. When asked if he had made peace with the comedian, Smith revealed, “We have not spoken.”
Smith’s comments come after reflecting on the inspiration behind “Beautiful Scars,” a song about overcoming adversity. “An adversity can turn into a stepping stone,” Smith explained, joking about how his own scars were exposed at the Oscars. “And if you are not careful, they may come out at the Oscars,” he quipped, referencing the now-infamous moment when he slapped Rock.
The incident occurred during the 94th Academy Awards, where Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head due to her battle with alopecia. Smith, in a moment of raw emotion, stormed the stage and slapped Rock, shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth.” Later that night, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in King Richard, but the slap caused a media storm and led to Smith being banned from the Oscars for 10 years.
Smith apologized for the incident shortly after, acknowledging that his actions were “out of line” and “wrong,” adding that the joke about Jada’s medical condition was “too much for me to bear.”
This appearance at the iHeartRadio event also marked Smith’s return to music, with a recent string of singles including “You Can Make It,” “Work Of Art,” and “Tantrum.” His last album was released in 2005, and the new music signals a fresh chapter for the multifaceted star.
