Will Smith makes his first award show appearance since slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars last year

Will Smith made his first in-person speech at an awards ceremony since his controversy at the Oscars, where he famously slapped Chris Rock.

Accepting the Beacon Award for “Emancipation” at the African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA), Smith took to the stage alongside the historical drama’s director, Antoine Fuqua, on Wednesday evening.

“‘Emancipation’ was the individual most difficult film of my entire career. It was all outdoors, that is true,” Smith said during his acceptance speech.

Smith went on to talk about a scene in the movie in which a white actor improvised — by spitting on him. The actor thought it went well, and they did a second take, Smith told the audience.

“He does his line — and spits in the middle of my chest again … In the distance, I hear a voice. And Antoine says, ‘Hey, let’s do a take without the spit.’ And in that moment, I knew that God was real.”

Chris Rock to address the Oscars slap in a Netflix special

While Smith didn’t address the controversial Oscars moment at last night’s awards show, Chris Rock is widely expected to address it this weekend during his second comedy special for Netflix. The event will stream live this Saturday at 10 p.m.

Smith has previously apologized for the incident, calling it “unacceptable” and saying he is “deeply remorseful.”

Smith is barred from attending the Oscars for 10 years by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who called Smith’s behaviour “unacceptable and harmful” in a statement issued following the slap.

The 95th Academy Awards will be held on March 12 this year starting at 8 p.m. EST.

Other honours at the AAFCA

“The Woman King” earned Best Picture and Best Director, while Jeremy Pope, Danielle Deadwyler, Brian Tyree Henry and Angela Bassett received top acting awards.

The association highlighted “The Woman King,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Till,” “Sidney,” Emancipation,” “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Inspection,” “Causeway,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Wendell & Wild” as its Top 10 Films of 2022.

In reviewing and highlighting cinema, the AAFCA focuses on film and TV about Black experiences, especially those produced, written and/or directed by people of the African Diaspora.

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