Will Smith’s ‘King Richard’ Co-Star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Defends the Oscars Slap: ‘I Stand By That’ Because the First Amendment Should Not ‘Protect A—holes’
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor has defended her former “King Richard” co-star Will Smith over his 2022 Oscars slap of Chris Rock, saying she understands that he wanted to protect his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. She argued that free-speech protections should not be used to excuse harmful behaviour, reviving debate about the incident and its consequences for Smith’s career.
Smith struck Rock after Rock joked about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, which was linked to alopecia, then won the best actor Oscar shortly afterwards. The Academy imposed a 10-year ban from its events, while Smith apologised publicly and described his actions as unacceptable and inexcusable; Ellis-Taylor also praised his conduct towards colleagues on the “King Richard” set.
- Ellis-Taylor says she supports Smith’s motive to protect his wife.
- She rejects using free speech to justify harm.
- Smith remains banned from Academy events for 10 years.