Richard Williams supports King Richard star Will Smith and confesses that he stands by his side amid the controversial Oscars slap that happened last year. Fans would remember that Smith smacked Chris Rock live on television at the 2022 Oscars in the heat of the moment after the host made an insensitive joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Will Smith portrayed Richard Williams in the Academy Award-winning movie King Richard, the father of tennis legends, Venus and Serena Williams.
Richard Williams Supports Will Smith, Believes Oscar Ban Should Be Lifted
In a recent interview with Good Morning Britain, Richard Williams talked about the infamous slap and commented (via People):
“I’ll always stand by him. I think he has done the best that he needed to do. But I would never be disgusted with Mr. Smith.”
Williams added that he did not see anything wrong with Smith’s reaction toward the situation.
“When I was about 51 years or younger, I almost killed any damn one. So, I think Mr. Smith has done a great deal not to.”
When asked about Smith’s ten-year ban punishment from the Oscars, Williams agreed that it is time to remove it. He also noted that the ban should have only lasted for no more than a week.
“It definitely should be [lifted]. It’s time for everyone to forgive.”
Williams is aware of the public’s criticism of his support for the Emancipation actor, but he remains unbothered.
“People are going to say good or bad about me anyway. I don’t give a damn what no one says good or bad about me. I’m always good about myself.”
In a CBS Mornings segment early in February, Serena Williams said that she understands people make mistakes, especially when put under pressure. She said (via THR):
“I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and made a tremendous amount of mistakes, and I’m the kind of person that’s like, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve made a mistake. It’s not the end of the world.’ We’re all imperfect, and we’re all human, and let’s just be kind to each other.”
The controversy surrounding the year-old Oscar slap emerged after Chris Rock launched his live comedy special, Selective Outrage, on Netflix. The comedian-host remained silent for a long time regarding the issue and only talked about it in the live event through a series of jokes.
Chris Rock told the audience that Will Smith practices selective outrage because “everybody knows what the f**k happened” and the comedian has nothing to do with their private issues.
Fans Condemn Richard Williams’ Opinion On The Oscar Slap
Richard Williams’ stance does not sit well with fans as they bash him on social media after he displays support for Will Smith. The public commented that no one “gives a f**k” about what he has to say. Check out their tweets below:
You weren’t the one smacked in the face. Good thing his opinion doesn’t matter.
— deb (@djb3117) March 6, 2023
If you can find 50% of the people who voted for Will Smith last year, if they know who this man in the photo is, I'd be very surprised. I bet they don't even remember his name or that Will played him. So his opinion on Will Smith's ban doesn't mean shit to most voters.
— clay bryce (@FlamingTail) March 7, 2023
who gives a fuck what this guy has to say?
— Iam#6 (@billybatsonwhiz) March 6, 2023
Imagine people caring about what you think because someone you’re related to is a great athlete.
— octopuses (@Jeffrey_reads) March 7, 2023
He should have been arrested
— Joe Johns (@JoeJohn_ny) March 6, 2023
Despite Will Smith’s 10-year ban from the Oscars, which the Academy’s Board of Governors discussed after the incident, the actor can still be nominated.
King Richard is available to stream via HBO Max.
