Photo: Getty (2)Serena Williamsis reminding people to “be kind to each other” almost one year afterWill SmithslappedChris Rockat the94th Academy Awards.During Williams' conversation withCBS Mornings’Gayle Kingon Wednesday, the tennis legend — who confirmed she willno longer play competitivelyin the same interview — was asked about her reaction to Smith’s now infamous incident atthe Oscars. Smith’s slap happened the same night heaccepted his first-ever Oscarfor portraying Williams' father Richard Williams inKing Richard.“I thought it was such an incredible film, and I feel that there was an incredible film after that with Questlove that kind of was overshadowed,” Williams told King, in reference toSummer of Soul, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary shortly after the incident.“But I also feel that I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and made a tremendous amount of mistakes,” Williams said. “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 tennis legend added to King. “I think that’s often forgotten a lot.“Neither Serena nor her sisterVenus Williams, whose early lives and tennis careers are depicted inKing Richard, have otherwise publicly offered opinions on last year’s Academy Awards incident, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.Kevin Winter/GettyIn the weeks following last year’s awards ceremony, Smithresigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was eventuallybanned from attending Academy eventsfor a decade. He has sinceapologized multiple times for his actions, including to Rock.“There’s many nuances and complexities to it, you know, but at the end of the day, I just — I lost it,” Smith said in November, as heopened up about the incidentduring an appearance onThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through,” he added about themoment he slapped Rockfor directing a joke toward his wifeJada Pinkett Smith.RELATED VIDEO: Oscars 2023 Nominations: Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler and Ana de Armas Among Nominees"You just don’t know what’s going on with people,” added Smith, 54. “And I was going through something that night… Not that that justifies my behavior at all.“While Smith remains banned from Academy events, he is still technically eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award. His first film to release since last year’s Oscars, the slavery epicEmancipation, did not receive any nominations at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards.
Photo: Getty (2)
Serena Williamsis reminding people to “be kind to each other” almost one year afterWill SmithslappedChris Rockat the94th Academy Awards.During Williams' conversation withCBS Mornings’Gayle Kingon Wednesday, the tennis legend — who confirmed she willno longer play competitivelyin the same interview — was asked about her reaction to Smith’s now infamous incident atthe Oscars. Smith’s slap happened the same night heaccepted his first-ever Oscarfor portraying Williams' father Richard Williams inKing Richard.“I thought it was such an incredible film, and I feel that there was an incredible film after that with Questlove that kind of was overshadowed,” Williams told King, in reference toSummer of Soul, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary shortly after the incident.“But I also feel that I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and made a tremendous amount of mistakes,” Williams said. “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 tennis legend added to King. “I think that’s often forgotten a lot.“Neither Serena nor her sisterVenus Williams, whose early lives and tennis careers are depicted inKing Richard, have otherwise publicly offered opinions on last year’s Academy Awards incident, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.Kevin Winter/GettyIn the weeks following last year’s awards ceremony, Smithresigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was eventuallybanned from attending Academy eventsfor a decade. He has sinceapologized multiple times for his actions, including to Rock.“There’s many nuances and complexities to it, you know, but at the end of the day, I just — I lost it,” Smith said in November, as heopened up about the incidentduring an appearance onThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through,” he added about themoment he slapped Rockfor directing a joke toward his wifeJada Pinkett Smith.RELATED VIDEO: Oscars 2023 Nominations: Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler and Ana de Armas Among Nominees"You just don’t know what’s going on with people,” added Smith, 54. “And I was going through something that night… Not that that justifies my behavior at all.“While Smith remains banned from Academy events, he is still technically eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award. His first film to release since last year’s Oscars, the slavery epicEmancipation, did not receive any nominations at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards.
Serena Williamsis reminding people to “be kind to each other” almost one year afterWill SmithslappedChris Rockat the94th Academy Awards.
During Williams' conversation withCBS Mornings’Gayle Kingon Wednesday, the tennis legend — who confirmed she willno longer play competitivelyin the same interview — was asked about her reaction to Smith’s now infamous incident atthe Oscars. Smith’s slap happened the same night heaccepted his first-ever Oscarfor portraying Williams' father Richard Williams inKing Richard.
“I thought it was such an incredible film, and I feel that there was an incredible film after that with Questlove that kind of was overshadowed,” Williams told King, in reference toSummer of Soul, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary shortly after the incident.
“But I also feel that I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and made a tremendous amount of mistakes,” Williams said. “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 tennis legend added to King. “I think that’s often forgotten a lot.”
Neither Serena nor her sisterVenus Williams, whose early lives and tennis careers are depicted inKing Richard, have otherwise publicly offered opinions on last year’s Academy Awards incident, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
Kevin Winter/Getty
In the weeks following last year’s awards ceremony, Smithresigned from the Academyof Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was eventuallybanned from attending Academy eventsfor a decade. He has sinceapologized multiple times for his actions, including to Rock.
“There’s many nuances and complexities to it, you know, but at the end of the day, I just — I lost it,” Smith said in November, as heopened up about the incidentduring an appearance onThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through,” he added about themoment he slapped Rockfor directing a joke toward his wifeJada Pinkett Smith.
RELATED VIDEO: Oscars 2023 Nominations: Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler and Ana de Armas Among Nominees
“You just don’t know what’s going on with people,” added Smith, 54. “And I was going through something that night… Not that that justifies my behavior at all.”
While Smith remains banned from Academy events, he is still technically eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award. His first film to release since last year’s Oscars, the slavery epicEmancipation, did not receive any nominations at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards.
source: people.com
