Will Smith issues public apology to Chris Rock after Oscars slap attack backlash

Actor Will Smith has issued a public apology following the fallout from his outburst and attack on comedian Chris Rock.

The attack was followed by intense public backlash with many labelling the actor's speech when he was awarded Best Actor, as "insincere" with no apology being made to Rock.

However, in his most recent Instagram post, Smith issued a lengthy apology where he directly addressed Rock and his actions toward the comedian.

The post read: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."

He continued by calling his actions toward Rock "wrong" and admitting he was out of line.

"I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. 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. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

Smith then issued an apology to the Academy and also to the Williams family.

"I would also like to apologise 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 my King Richard Family. 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," he concluded.

The post comes just hours after the Academy body said it "condemns" Will Smith's assault of Chris Rock during the 94th Oscars ceremony.

It also revealed it had now launched a formal review of the incident and said it would "explore further action and consequences" in accordance with California law, and the body's standards of conduct.

Academy leadership strongly considered removing Smith from last night's broadcast following the incident, a source told CNN.

"There were immediate discussions but the Academy decision-makers were seated in various spots in the Dolby Theater and couldn't mobilise to make a decision before he won best actor," the source said.

The developments come after organisers of the Academy Awards held emergency Zoom talks to discuss stripping Will Smith of his Best Actor Oscar after the A-list star assaulted comedian Chris Rock on stage at the ceremony.

While no decision has been immediately announced, the assault - which occurred after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith - left audiences in shock at what has been described as the ugliest moment in Oscars history and has caused deep consternation among Academy members.

Photo / Getty

Photo / Getty

Smith sparked global headlines after storming the stage and slapping comedian Rock in the face during a live broadcast seen by tens of millions of viewers.

Earlier in the evening, a video had been posted on Smith's account of him and his wife dressed up to the nines headed into the ceremony.

"Me 'n Jada Pinkett Smith got all dressed up to choose chaos," the caption stated.

Three hours later, a second response under Smith's name appeared, seemingly posted after the incident with Rock following a joke directed at Pinkett Smith's shaved head. Last year, she announced she would shave her hair after an alopecia diagnosis.

"You can't invite people from Philly or Baltimore nowhere," the comment said.

That appeared to be a reference to the home cities of the couple with Smith hailing from Philadelphia and Pinkett Smith from Baltimore.

This article was first published by the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.