Will Smith Makes A Comeback At Award Ceremony For The First Time Since Oscars

Some people, especially comedian-actor Chris Rock, can still astoundingly hear the ringing of the slap that Will Smith delivered to the comedian’s face as he hosted the 2022 Oscar awards. The awards were broadcasted live all over the world, and everyone saw the disgraceful act on their TVs. 

Will Smith later apologize to Rock in a public apology that he posted on his social media accounts? Rock, on the other hand, did not sue Smith over the fiasco, and everything was settled. However, the reputation Smith worked so hard to build his whole career was forever tarnished. 

Consequently, Smith was banned from ever attending the Oscar ceremony for the next ten years and was humiliated in the court of public opinion. Since then, the world has not heard much from the actor. Now, for the first time since the slap, Smith reappears onstage for the  African American Film Critics Association Awards to accept an award for his latest film Emancipation which was released in 2022. Here’s the synopsis of the Apple TV+ film:

Peter, a slave, flees a plantation in Louisiana after he was whipped within an inch of his life. He has to outwit cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on a torturous journey north.

Smith And Emancipation

This marks Smith’s first public appearance this award season. He was the one who infamously slapped Chris Rock for making a G.I. Jane joke for Jada Pinkett Smith, which angered her husband, Will, leading up to the slap. Now, Will joins Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua to accept the award. In a heartfelt speech, he said:

 “The Beacon Award is intended to highlight films that are tackling challenging subjects with insight, enlightening, as well as engaging the audience,” said Will. “It was our hope that Emancipation, would be able to bring Peter’s triumphant story and unwavering faith and his deep love for his family to life.”

The film is based on a true story but has managed to receive poor ratings from critics and fans alike. Does it have anything to do with Smith’s spiraling reputation? No one can tell.