Denzel Washington, who was seen consoling Will Smith moments after the King Richard actor slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars last weekend, spoke out on Saturday about the night’s controversy, asking: ‘Who are we to condemn?’
Washington defends Smith as Smith faces backlash from producers over the stunt. According to The Hollywood Reporter, his Netflix films Fast and Loose and Bad Boys 4 have been canceled.
Washington (67) spoke out at the author and bishop T.D. Jakes spoke out at the International Leadership Summit. Washington was discussing the Macbeth actor’s career, religious faith and when Jakes said to Washington that he had “stepped into World War III.”
Washington was seen speaking with Smith, 53, along with the Tyler Perry and Smith’s publicist, during a commercial break at the 94th Academy Awards after Smith slapped announcer Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald hairstyle, which she sports due to her struggle with alopecia.
Smith has apologized over the incident and has plans to visit a luxury retreat to escape the chaos of the week and do some ‘soul searching,’ a Hollywood insider told The Sun.
Denzel Washington spoke out about Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock during Saturday’s Oscars ceremony. Washington appeared to comfort Smith after Smith had slapped an announcer at the Oscars ceremony.
Washington (pictured at left) stated that Smith, Tyler Perry and he prayed together after Smith’s shocking loss of control. He told bishop T.D. Jakes stated that he believed prayer was the only answer.
Washington spoke out about the incident a day after Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Smith was also facing an investigation regarding his conduct during the ceremony.
Fast And Loose was initially to have been directed by Deadpool 2 director David Leitch. But he had already resigned from the project a week before Oscars.
Sources told THR that Universal was competing with Netflix for the new Leitch project, however the Universal option appealed more to Leitch than Netflix.
Netflix immediately began searching urgently for a replacement director after Smith’s death.
According to THR, Smith’s shocking performance in Hollywood and at home when he punched Rock on the face, Netflix decided not to release his movie.
Smith also worked on Bad Boys 4 with Sony. However, THR was informed by a source that Smith’s project had been put on hold.
Sony had already sent the 40-page screenplay to the star because it was keen to capitalise on Bad Boys for Life’s $204 million grossing in 2020.
Smith has Emancipation, an Apple TV+ movie that will be released in the latter part of the year. This could give us a glimpse into Smith’s fame and impact on projects after the Oscar incident.
Although many are speculative about Smith’s future or whether audiences will ignore him, Evan Nierman CEO at Red Banyan crisis PR agency, stated that Smith is still here.
Nierman stated that Will Smith was too large to be cancelled, even though he had committed assault live on television before tens and millions of viewers,’ Nierman said to Newsweek.
“Already, they have given him special treatment for his A-list celebrity standing including the permission to attend the awards show even though he violently reacted.”
Domenic Romano, an entertainment lawyer said Smith should wait for public memory to fade and still appear sympathetic and sorry to make a comeback.
“A lot depends on his actions against violence, and whether he sends out a clear message that his reaction against a poor taste joke is unacceptable,” the NYC managing partner said to Fox News. He also stated, “If he makes amends within the next twelve months, if he does not make it sooner, then he will be back to his best self.”
Smith (left) was working on Bad Boys 4 with Sony. However, a source informed THR that this project is currently being put on hold. Sony wanted to keep the successful franchise that Martin Lawrence (right), starred in. The film earned $204 million at the box office in 2020.
Washington stated to Jakes after the slapping incident that Perry and Smith had prayed.
“Fortunately there were others there.” Washington reminded us that it wasn’t just him, but also others.
Tyler Perry was there immediately with me. [Said]Some prayers Although I won’t want to repeat what was said, it is for God’s grace that we all go.
“Who can we condemn?” While I’m not privy to all details of this situation, I can tell you that I believe prayer was the best way to resolve it.
Washington’s stars, which included Zoe Kravitz and Jim Carrey, criticized the incident and faced criticism. They were also accused of hypocrisy when their scandals were reaired on Twitter.
Washington claimed that it was impossible to stay in his chair and console Smith. He said, “It was impossible for me to sit in my chair.” He said, “That’s not who I am.”
Smith thanked Washington during his Best Actor acceptance speech and stated that Washington had warned him that when he was at his highest, ‘that’s when devil comes after you.
Washington right said it was not possible to sit in his own seat. Washington said that there was no way he could have sat on his chair. “That’s not who I am,” he replied.
Smith thanked Washington during his Best Actor acceptance speech and stated that Washington had warned him that when he was at his highest point, he should be cautious because that is when the devil will come for you.
On Saturday, Denzel spoke to Jakes about the expression.
“Well, there is a saying that says: “When the Devil ignores you then you know something’.” “Oh no, don’t leave him alone. He’s my favourite.”
“Conversely: When the devil comes to you, perhaps it’s because that’s what he’s trying do right. The devil took control of the situation that night, for whatever reason.
Washington discussed the matter a day following Smith’s resignation as Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Smith was under investigation for his conduct during the ceremony. Washington said he would accept all consequences from Academy board members.
T.D. Bishop Jakes (pictured) joked about Washington’s’stepping into the middle of World War III’ by joining Smith at Smith’s International Leadership Summit
In a Monday statement posted on his Instagram account, King Richard said that his actions had been’shockingly, painful, and unacceptable’. Chris and his family are among the many people I’ve hurt. This includes Chris and my loved ones. It also includes all of our global audience members.
On Wednesday, the Academy called an emergency meeting of its governors to initiate a formal review of Smith’s conduct.
At his first stand-up show since the Oscars on Wednesday, Rock, 57, spoke briefly about the incident in Boston, saying that he was still ‘processing what happened.’
Chris Rock arrived at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre Wednesday evening ahead of the sold-out show.
Chris Rock made Will Smith look bad during his Boston Comedy Show Thursday Night
‘I don’t have a bunch of s*** about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend,’ the comedian told the audience at the Wilbur Theatre, who chanted ‘Will Smith’ and heckled the comedian about the incident.
“I still am sort of processing the events. So at some point, I’ll speak about the shit. I promise it’ll be funny and serious.
Rock stopped Smith’s fans cursing at him during his Boston comedy show on Thursday night.
‘F**k Will Smith!’ a fan shouted, likely in an attempt to show support for Rock.
According to People, the comedian responded, “No, no …’,” putting an end the verbal abuses.