The 52-year-old star discussed the terrible incident and its immediate aftermath during a wide-ranging conversation with Gayle King on June 13 as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s Directors Series in New York City.
Perry, who was at the Oscars to celebrate Sidney Poitier during the In Memoriam section, was seen interacting with Will Smith and Denzel Washington immediately following the infamous slap.
As per Deadline, Perry was shocked by Smith’s response on stage. He said:
However, the Gone Girl star added that Will Smith is reflecting on whatever happened on the Oscar night.
Perry quoted Smith’s best-selling memoir, Will, in which the Oscar winner described a time when he was eight years old and unable to defend his mother, Variety reports.
Tyler Perry was not comforting Will Smith after the infamous incident
When asked if he was taking Will Smith’s stand by comforting him after the altercation, Perry clarified his stance and stated that it was “difficult” to be friends with both stars.
However, during the conversation, Perry maintained his diplomatic approach, empathizing with both Smith and Chris Rock while admitting that the Men in Black star was still in the wrong.
The infamous incident occurred at the 94th Academy Awards held in March, where Chris Rock made fun of Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The 50-year-old star had previously opened up about battling alopecia.
He joked:
Smith then walked up to the stage and slapped Rock right across his face on the live telecast of the event. He was then seen yelling:
Later in the evening, the King Richard star was named best actor, winning his first ever Oscar.
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