The Batman star Zoë Kravitz responded to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock across the face at the 94th Academy Awards.
"here's a picture of my dress at the award show where we are apparently assaulting people on stage now," Kravitz wrote on Instagram, condemning Smith's actions during the ceremony. Kravitz currently stars as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Warner Bros. and DC Films' The Batman.
Rock, who appeared at the Oscars as a presenter, made a joke about Pinkett Smith's shaved head, wherein he said, "Jada, I love you-- G.I Jane 2, can't wait to see it." Pinkett Smith has spoken publically about her struggles with alopecia. Smith, in response to the joke, shocked the audience -- and Rock -- by walking on stage and slapping the comedian across the face. While the audio of the broadcast was immediately censored following the blow, uncensored footage surfaced later online, in which Smith can be heard yelling, "Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth."
Many of Hollywood's elite have come to Rock's defense, including Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, comedian Kathy Griffin, Rob, actor Sophia Bush, director Judd Apatow, Jim Carrey and Rock's friend and frequent collaborator, Adam Sandler. Rock has not publically addressed the altercation, though he has confirmed that he will not be pressing charges against Smith. Smith since issued a formal apology for the slap, which he called "unacceptable and inexcusable."
In his statement, Smith explained that "jokes at [his] expense are part of the job, but a joke about [Jada Pinkett Smith's] medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally." Smith apologized to Rock directly, saying, "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." Smith also apologized to "the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world."
About an hour after the slap, Smith was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences launched a formal review in response to Smith and Rock's altercation, issuing a statement that "condemns the actions of Mr. Smith" at the ceremony. "We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law," said an Oscars spokesperson.
Kravitz is currently starring in The Batman alongside Robert Pattinson, in theaters now.
Source: Instagram