Wanda Sykesis speaking out after the incident whenWill Smithstruck Chris Rock onstage atthe Oscarsin response to a joke made about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The 58-year-old comedian — whohostedthe 94th annual Academy Awards on Sunday with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall — said in a statement to PEOPLE Monday night, “Violence is never the answer.”
Hall has not yet spoken out, but Schumeropened up about witnessing the altercationthat happened on the same stage they were delivering jokes that night,writingon Instagram that she is “still triggered and traumatized.”
“I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro. Stayed up there and gave an Oscar to his friend @questlove and the whole thing was so disturbing,” said Schumer, 40. “So much pain in @willsmith anyway I’m still in shock and stunned and sad. Im proud of myself and my cohosts. But yeah. Waiting for this sickening feeling to go away from what we all witnessed.”
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Will, 53, publicly apologized to Rock in astatementon Instagram Monday, admitting he “was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” the Best Actor winner also said. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a jokeabout Jada’s medical conditionwas too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
Chris Rock; Will Smith.Getty (2)
The star added, “I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and myKing RichardFamily. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
On Monday afternoon, the Academy said in a statement, “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show. We haveofficially started a formal reviewaround the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”
source: people.com
