Will Smith Posts an Apology Video for Slapping Chris Rock

Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him. Reuters
Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him. Reuters
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Will Smith Posts an Apology Video for Slapping Chris Rock

Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him. Reuters
Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him. Reuters

Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him during the Oscar telecast in a new video, saying that his behavior was “unacceptable” and that he had reached out to the comedian to discuss the incident but was told Rock wasn't ready.

“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment,” Smith said in the video posted online Friday. “I am deeply remorseful and I’m trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself.”

Smith, seated in a white polo shirt and white ball cap, spoke directly to a camera, answering pre-selected questions about his behavior at the March 27 Academy Awards, when he slapped presenter Rock after the comedian made a comment about the hairstyle of Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith's wife.

Smith also apologized to Rock's family and especially his mother, Rosalie, who was horrified to see her son hurt and told US Weekly that, "When he slapped Chris, he slapped all of us. He really slapped me.” Smith also apologized to Tony Rock, Chris' younger brother.

“I didn't realize how many people got hurt in that moment,” Smith said.

Smith also apologized to his family “for the heat that I brought on all of us” and his fellow Oscar nominees to have “stolen and tarnished your moment.” He said his wife did nothing to encourage his slap, The Associated Press reported. “Jada had nothing to do with it," he said. “I made a choice on my own.”

Following the altercation, the motion picture academy banned Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years. Smith apologized to Rock in a statement after the Oscars, saying he was “out of line and I was wrong.”

“I'm sorry really isn't sufficient,” Smith said in the video.



Lindsay Lohan Comes Full Circle with ‘Freakier Friday’ 

Lindsay Lohan, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Freakier Friday" on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in London. (AP)
Lindsay Lohan, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Freakier Friday" on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in London. (AP)
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Lindsay Lohan Comes Full Circle with ‘Freakier Friday’ 

Lindsay Lohan, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Freakier Friday" on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in London. (AP)
Lindsay Lohan, left, and Jamie Lee Curtis pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Freakier Friday" on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in London. (AP)

Lindsay Lohan says she drew upon her own experiences of motherhood for "Freakier Friday", the highly-anticipated sequel to her hit 2003 movie "Freaky Friday".

Lohan, 39, welcomed her first child in 2023, a year before the Disney movie was filmed.

"It felt full circle for me, and also the timing was pretty impeccable considering that I'm a new mom and I was able to bring being a mom into the character," Lohan said at the film's London premiere on Thursday. "It's the first time I'm able to do that on screen."

"Freaky Friday", with a reported budget of $26 million, was a surprise hit, making over $160 million worldwide and obtaining a cult following.

The 2025 follow-up sees Lohan and actress Jamie Lee Curtis reprising the roles of mother and daughter duo Tess and Anna Coleman. Twenty years on, Anna is a single parent to tomboy teen daughter Harper, played by Julia Butters.

Their relationship comes under stress when Anna falls for Eric (Manny Jacinto), the father of Harper's new British classmate Lily (Sophia Hammons), and they decide to get married. The future stepsisters, with a mutual dislike for one another, decide to intervene.

While the 2003 film saw a body swap between Tess and Anna, things get "freakier" this time around with Tess and Anna switching bodies with Lily and Harper.

Before signing on to the sequel, Lohan ensured that Anna returned as a multi-faceted and relatable character.

"It was important to me that we explained who Anna is today and how she's evolved and the dynamic between her and her daughter as she's a single working mom. There are some basic points that I wanted to get across because I want people to see the movie and find a piece of it that they can grab onto and be like, 'okay, I get that'," she said.

Directed by Nisha Ganatra, the movie also sees actor Chad Michael Murray reprising the role of young Anna's love interest, Jake.

Shooting the sequel was a "lovefest", said Murray.

"It was the same, but better. It felt very much like connective tissue to the first movie. Everyone loved going to work and no one wanted to go home."

"Freakier Friday" marks Lohan's big screen return.

"It's obviously nerve-wracking because you want it to be great and you want people to love what you do," she said. "As long as people are enjoying what I'm doing and it's making them happy, then I feel like I'm doing my job and that's what I'm here to do."

"Freakier Friday" begins its global cinematic rollout on August 6.