Will Smith’s career has been quite long, over three decades; there have been thousands of highs, but in 2022, it hit one of its lowest moments after the infamous Oscars incident. During the 94th Academy Awards, Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The altercation dominated headlines as controversy spread and negatively damaged the actor’s public image. Now, one year later, Smith is prepared to move on and rebuild.
In recent interviews, Will Smith was candid on the emotional toll of the Oscar’s controversy. He called it a moment really sorely regretted, adding the spat hurt his reputation and overshadowed his win for Best Actor in King Richard. Smith is now one of the rare Black actors who have taken home the award; however, the victory did not come without the aftermath of the slap.
He stepped back from public activity for some period of time following the event and began reflecting on how to become a better man. After that, he apologized publicly to Chris Rock, the Academy, and his fans. According to him, it took months later for him to fully process the event and understand what implications and consequences such an action caused among his loved ones and professional circles.
Looking forward, Smith still remains a little optimistic regarding his future. Just recently, he was quoted saying that he would henceforth seek to move on and grasp new chances. For him, this is probably one of the “rebirth” periods in his career in which he focuses more on rejuvenating his image and reconnecting with his audience. According to Smith, one has to learn from mistakes and take blame for the things that he does wrong; he specified that his personal development will determine what happens next on his plate.
Coming off the heels of several films in the pipeline, bad boys perhaps most prominently, Smith is getting ready for a big time comeback. His stated commitment to staying ahead may just be his attempt to rededicate himself to his art, believing that he can make his body of work stand on its own merits, separable from the controversy.
In an industry often defined by reinvention, Smith’s introspection highlights a great lesson that is to strive towards self-forgiveness and resilience. Though the Oscars incident will always remain a part of his legacy, it definitely shows Will Smith strives to overcome this incident and continue his journey as one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors.
