The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday afternoon that it will conduct a formal review of the shocking incident from Sunday's Oscars broadcast on ABC in which actor Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock across the face onstage after the comedian made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. In his first public statement about the altercation, Smith apologized to Rock.
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," Smith wrote in an Instagram post Monday evening. ". . . I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.