‘Will Knows It’s a Long Road to Redemption’: Will Smith Reportedly Not Happy With Fans Not Forgiving Him for Chris Rock Oscars Slap Even After 9 Months

One name from Mayan Lopez and Selenis Leyva’s list of 2023 Golden Globe nominees stood out as being noticeably absent on December 12. It’s none other than Will Smith, who previously made headlines for his infamous Chris Rock Oscar slapping incident. 

When Smith received his first-ever Academy Award for best actor for the role of King Richard, the ‘slap’ appeared to overshadow the achievement of his own biggest professional milestone. And now his prestige slave drama, Emancipation, has been completely shunned at the box office. Will Smith’s career is still suffering as a result of the infamous Chris Rock slap at the Oscars, which occurred almost nine months ago. 

After the Hollywood actor posted a lengthy apology for the Oscars slap, US comedian Chris Rock formally refused to accept Smith’s apology, claiming Smith was just trying to practice being a “victim.”

Also Read: “To her, I’m just the Antichrist”: ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Star Janet Hubert Hated ‘Snotty-nosed punk’ Will Smith For Bagging a Show When She Couldn’t

Emancipation taught Will Smith a lesson post-Oscar slap

The I am Legend star walked up to the stage and smacked comedian  Chris Rock for talking about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair during the 2022 Academy Awards. “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth,” Smith yelled, hurling some harsh words. The Academy Awards officials were not pleased with the incident and banned Smith from future events of the Academy.

The most recent Smith film, Emancipation (2022), which he has deemed to be particularly “dear” to him, hasn’t done as well as he had hoped. It has actually been the complete opposite. The 53-year-old actor, who recently returned from a break, is aware that he still has some “making up to do” in time and makes sure he is “putting in the work” to improve his mental health. According to an insider, “Will knows it’s going to be a long road to redemption and many people won’t forgive him. But this really rams it home.”

Also Read: “It was emotionally, it was physically, it was spiritually taxing”: Will Smith’s Co-Actor Spat On His Face While Shooting First Movie After Oscar Controversy

Tom Cruise avoiding his friend post infamous Oscars slap

Not just moviegoers are snubbing his return to the big screen. Tom Cruise, an old friend of Will Smith in Hollywood, is allegedly avoiding the actor as a result of the “slap heard around the world,” according to sources. According to an insider, the Men in Black actor “has approached Tom several times, trying to reconnect and see if they can hang out and brainstorm on some projects together.” 

The actor believes that a good movie with Cruise would ensure his comeback. But Cruise isn’t biting and didn’t even respond to Smith when he offered to fly to London if that would be more convenient.

Also Read: “This is real, This is serious”: Will Smith, Who is Notorious for His Oscar Slap, Reveals He Was Ignored by His Co-Star Ben Foster For Six Months While Shooting Emancipation

Source: Radar Online