Stephen A. Smith says Will Smith needs to speak directly to the black community, claiming slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars caused irreparable harm to the comedian.
On Sunday (June 9), the veteran sportscaster said he found it difficult to watch Will Smith movies after the infamous incident in 2022. He claimed that while Chris Rock may have escaped unscathed, making money and still working in Hollywood, the comic was not good “in the age of mental illness.”
“Chris Rock is hurt,” he said on the latest episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” “Chris Rock could never get over this. Ever.
He continued: “Will Smith apologized. I’m not saying he even needed to apologize. I mean, when I was watching him and Martin Lawrence promote this movie, I’m pretty sure the reason he didn’t address it was because The studio doesn’t want him to do that, and you have an obligation to them, to be fair, I get it.
Stephen Smith finds it difficult to watch Will Smith movies
But along the way, he had to sit down and talk to the black community. You can see all the white people you want around Will Smith, a man that black people have loved and revered for decades.
Stephen A. Smith insists he still loves the actor but says he owes the black community an explanation. “You have to talk about why you’re doing this. The main thing is that we black people love you and support you and watch you go out on the international stage and slap one of us in the face,” he added.
“A lot of people can’t get over that. A lot of people find it hard to go to the theater to see you. I’m one of them, I never miss a Will Smith movie,” said Stephen A. Smith.
The First Take host’s comments came after Will Smith’s “Bad Boys” surpassed expectations, grossing $56 million in its domestic opening weekend and $104 million worldwide.
Stephen A. Smith posted a clip of his discussion with Will Smith on social media and promised to share some “additional thoughts” on his podcast.
