Terry Crews is the latest notable celebrity to express his thoughts surrounding the on-stage altercation between Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock at the 94th Oscars. The Everybody Hates Chris star expressed sympathy for Will Smith following the events and noted that Rock's nonviolent response may have saved Hollywood from an untreatable wound.
Will Smith and Rock were both the center of attention at the Oscars for the wrong reasons. While Rock was on stage presenting the award for Best Documentary, the comedian made several jokes, one of which involved Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The comment surrounding her shaved head prompted Will Smith to approach the stage and slap Rock during the televised presentation. Rock refrained from responding and continued with the presentation, but the effect of Will Smith's actions reverberated throughout Hollywood.
While promoting his latest memoir, Tough, Crews expressed his views on the situation with The Hollywood Reporter. The incident struck an emotional chord with the actor, whose memoir opens with a story of an altercation he had with someone who disrespected his wife. "Both Will Smith and Chris Rock are dear, dear friends of mine. I love them both as brothers, but there was a time in my life where I was Will Smith at that moment, and let me tell you, I've done worse than Will," expressed Crews. The actor noted the unnecessary nature of his actions and the lack of control that existed within him.
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The control present in Rock was an element Crews highlighted as a characteristic he developed that eventually saved his life. The comment was about an assault Crews endured by agent Adam Venit. Crews noted that the situation could have gone down a dangerous path, likely ending his vibrant career. Instead, however, the actor remained in control, which was something he highlighted about Rock's actions. "When I look back, by what Chris did, by just deciding to hold everything together, it actually, I think in a lot of ways saved Hollywood. Because if there would've been a brawl on that stage, I don't know if Hollywood would've ever gotten any respect again, you know?"
Crews has some sympathy for Will Smith, refusing to demonize the blockbuster star because of where he's been on his journey, but the consequences remain for Will Smith to untangle. Earlier this month, the Academy decided to ban Will Smith from the Oscars for ten years due to the altercation. In addition, Netflix has paused an upcoming film featuring the star and has canceled the plan to develop a sequel to Bright, which starred Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. Netflix indicated that the cancellation is unrelated to the Oscars altercation, but it's hard not to connect the dots. Will Smith finally won the Best Actor award for his performance in King Richard but soured the victory with a moment he deeply regrets.
Crews is not the first celebrity to comment on the altercation, with others aggressively slamming Will Smith for his actions. While Crews notes Will Smith's wrong, he understands the actor because he was once in his shoes. "We all have to understand that that could be any of us," expressed Crews, hoping to instill in people that Will Smith is the same person they knew before the altercation. The lapse in judgment has, and will, affect Will Smith moving forward, but Rock's controlled actions may not have only saved Hollywood but Will Smith's career as well.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter