Joe Rogan believes that Will Smith should be forgiven for slapping Chris Rock at last year's Academy Awards ceremony.
At the 2022 Oscars, Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard. However, earlier in the evening, he made headlines around the world when he stepped onto the stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face after the comedian made jokes referring to Jada Pinkett-Smith's alopecia.
His actions were nearly universally criticised, while his subsequent apology video posted online a few months later was labelled by many as being insincere.
Smith received a 10-year ceremony ban from the Academy following his actions, but it is not known at this point whether he will still be eligible to win any awards.
Rock hasn't accepted any offer of apology yet.
Rogan, though, thinks Smith should be forgiven for the moment of madness.
“Now thinking about , I’m like, that guy has to be forgiven," he said on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
“Like, he clearly has deep remorse for what he’s done. And he’s also clearly living in a world where he was given nothing but adulation and praise for most of his life.
“And then all of a sudden, he has this one, in many people’s eyes, unforgivable moment where he does something just so … stupid,” he continued.
“He’s a human being. You just gotta forgive him, you know? And I think the real person who has to forgive him — if he wants to is Chris Rock.”
Smith to be blocked for Oscar nominations
Deadline Hollywood reports that several Academy members have openly spoken about their refusal to nominate Smith for anything again.
Lawrence David Foldes, a member of producers branch of Academy voters, said:
"Would I vote for Smith? NO F****** WAY.
“His shameful violent outburst and pathetic snivelling ‘acceptance’ diatribe witnessed by millions – and his blatant disrespect of the Academy – should preclude him from any consideration and reward from AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) members for life.”
Another source said: “Would I vote for Will Smith? Right after I vote for Trump. F*** him. So, no.”
More than a handful of critics voiced their displeasure at Smith to Deadline.
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