Denzel Washington to Will Smith after slapping incident: ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you’

Will Smith departs from the stage after he accepted the Oscar for Best Actor in “King Richard” at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. Image: Reuters/Brian Snyder

Denzel Washington has given wise words to fellow actor Will Smith following Smith’s slapping incident with comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony today, March 27 (March 28 in the Philippines).

Smith smacked Rock after the comedian blurted a “G.I. Jane” joke on his wife Jada Pinkett Smith who has a shaved head, reportedly due to alopecia. Rock referenced the 1997 film where Demi Moore played the role of a Navy member with a shaved head.

Rock made the joke before he presented the Best Documentary award while Jada can be seen rolling her eyes as reaction. Will, who actually initially laughed at the joke, soon went on stage and slapped Rock. When he went back to his seat, and as Rock attempted to cool things off by saying “it was a G.I. Jane joke,” Will shouted “Keep my wife’s name out your f*cking mouth” twice.

Washington appeared to have comforted Will and Jada during commercial break, as seen on The Hollywood Reporter‘s columnist Scott Feinberg’s Twitter page, also today. Will was also approached by actor Tyler Perry. Bradley Cooper, as per People today, was the other actor who stood up, spoke to and hugged Will.

https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg/status/1508273120473325573?fbclid=IwAR3OVY0yyCCv-YhKtORWg5ME4_7tqv5RRsuTrOcLb9m3DlRGtJMu23zz5V4

Will, who bagged the Best Actor award, then spoke about Washington’s advice to him during his acceptance speech, which Will delivered in tears. A clip of his speech was posted by one @ariaischic on Twitter.

“Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you,'” Will said. Washington, already an Academy Award best actor winner for “Training Day” (2001), is an esteemed veteran who was also nominated this year for his lead role in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.”

Will mentioned in his speech the difficulty of having to “take abuse” and tolerate disrespect in showbiz while he aspires to “protect people and to be a river to my people,” as per The Hollywood Reporter’s full transcript of his speech, released today.

https://twitter.com/ariaischic/status/1508286776271683592

Though Rock is yet to release an official statement on the matter as of writing, the Los Angeles Police Department said that no charges will be filed against Will as the comedian declined to file a report on the slapping incident. JB

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