Serena, Venus Williams’ father defends Will Smith, says it’s time for ‘everyone’ to forgive actor
Richard Williams, father of tennis greats Serena and Venus, defended actor Will Smith for slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars last year as the 2023 Academy Awards got under way.
Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith on last year’s show that prompted Smith to get up from her seat, storm the stage and slap the host. The incident rocked the show as Smith won best actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the film “King Richard” — about a tennis star father who tutors and coaches his daughters.
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Will Smith, right, took issue with Chris Rock’s joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, prompting him to slap the comedian in the face. (Robin Beck/AFP)
Will Smith, well, is no longer a member of the Academy, resigning himself and being banned for 10 years. (Nielsen Barnard/Getty Images)
On Monday, Williams spoke to “Good Morning Britain” about the slap for the first time.
“I think he did the best job that he needed to do, but I would never begrudge Mr. Smith. In fact, I admire Mr. Smith,” Williams said.
Serena Williams of the USA, right, celebrates with her father Richard Williams after her ladies’ singles final match against Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska on day 12 of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2012. London. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Williams said he “didn’t feel sorry” for Rock.
Chris Rock hits out at Jada Pinkett’s affair and unusual marriage to Will Smith: ‘He hurt her more’
“It’s time for everyone to forgive Will Smith,” he added.
Last month, Serena Williams spoke out about the Oscar slap and said she thought it “overshadowed” the film.
Richard Williams is seen at the Sony Open tennis tournament at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2014 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Uri Schenker/GC Images)
“I thought it was such a great movie, and I think there was a great movie that came after that with Questlove, which was kind of overshadowed,” he told CBS’ Gayle King. “But I also feel like I’ve been in a situation where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and made a lot of mistakes, and I’m kind of like, ‘I’ve been there. ‘Made a mistake.’ The world is not the end.
“We’re all imperfect, and we’re all human, and let’s be kind to each other. So, it’s often forgotten a lot.”
Richard Williams watches his daughter Venus Williams’ match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia during Day 10 of the 2007 US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens Borough of New York City on September 5, 2007. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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The Rock talked about the slap in his new Netflix comedy special “Selective Outrage.”
