Chris Rock’s Brother Says Will Smith’s Apology Wasn’t “Genuine”

Another of Chris Rock’s siblings has spoken out against Will Smith, labelling his apology ingenuine and calling for the actor’s Oscar to be revoked.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Kenny Rock addressed what it was like to watch the incident at the 94th Academy Awards, where Smith smacked his brother on stage after a joke comparing the King Richard star’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, to G.I. Jane.

“It eats at me watching it over and over again because you’ve seen a loved one being attacked and there’s nothing you can do about it,” said Kenny. “My brother was no threat to him and you just had no respect for him at that moment. You just belittled him in front of millions of people that watch the show.”

He also claimed that his brother had no idea that Smith’s wife, Jada, suffered from alopecia, and said he “wouldn’t make a joke like that” if he’d known.

Days ago, Smith announced that he was formally resigning from the Academy after issuing a public apology to Rock. While the move means that Smith forfeits his right to vote for future Oscar winners, he retains his Best Actor award, may attend future ceremonies and remains eligible for future nominations.

While the Academy’s official review into the night’s events continues, Kenny Rock has expressed his belief that Smith’s Oscar should be revoked.

He added that he might have “look at it differently” if Smith had apologised to his brother in his acceptance speech. “But he didn’t, so, right there that tells me that it is something else.”

Addressing the public apology which was issued the next day, Kenny said, “No, I don’t accept it because I don’t think it was genuine. I think his publicist and the people that work under him probably advised him to do that.”

Kenny also took issue with the Academy itself, stating that he will “hold them accountable” for failing to have Smith escorted out and risking another altercation with his brother.

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