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31st Jul 2022

Will Smith accused of using Chris Rock apology video to promote son’s company

April Curtin

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 01: Actors Jaden Smith (L) and Will Smith attend the "Suicide Squad" world premiere at The Beacon Theatre on August 1, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Stewart/WireImage)

One of the critics said it made Smith’s apology ‘entirely disingenuous’

Some people think Will Smith used his recent Chris Rock apology video to promote Jaden Smith’s water brand.

The actor, 56, uploaded a lengthy video on Friday, in which he apologised for slapping Rock, 57, at The Oscars in March. The incident happened after Rock, the American comedian who was presenting an award on stage, made a joke which mocked Smith’s wife’s hair. Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia, looked unimpressed by the remarks, and her husband rushed on stage to assault Rock in front of the audience.

Smith was hugely criticised for his actions and later banned from The Oscars ceremony for 10 years. In his apology video, released four months after the incident, the I Am Legend star explained why he didn’t apologise to Rock when he accepted the award for best actor just minutes after the assault.

“It’s all fuzzy,” Smith said. “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is he’s not ready to talk, and when he is, he will reach out.”

Smith apologised and branded his own behaviour “unacceptable”.

Seemingly fighting back tears, he said: “There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment,” he said, “There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.”

While Smith seemed to look visibly upset, eagle-eyed viewers believe the actor was using the video to advertise his son’s ‘Just Water’ brand. The company, launched by 24-year-old Jaden Smith when he was aged 12, sells water in resealable aluminium bottles.

In his father’s video, a ‘Just Water’ bottle can clearly be seen next to him on the table.

One person who took to Twitter to share their views thought it made the video “entirely disingenuous”.

Meanwhile, other viewers have rushed to support Smith following his apology.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “Will Smith has been and continues to be so vulnerable and transparent about his own work and healing journey. And it all seems incredibly genuine. May his work be fruitful.”

“I love Will Smith,” another wrote, “I stand by him 100%”.

You can watch Will Smith’s full apology video here:

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