It seems like most celebrities can’t avoid being asked about the infamous slap heard around the world, in which Will Smith walked onstage and smacked Chris Rock while he was presenting the next category at the 94th Annual Academy Awards, not even Smith’s longtime friend DJ Jazzy Jeff.
During an appearance at Dorian’s Through The Record Shop in Chicago earlier this month, the 57-year-old defended the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star during a discussion with “WGCI Morning Show” host Kyle Santillian, telling the host that “it was a lapse of judgment.”
He added, “And I think the thing that I realized is I don’t know too many people that has had the least amount of lapse of judgment than him.”
Jazz further argued that Smith has been in the spotlight and has faced a lot of scrutiny most of his career without ever losing his cool. “I can name 50 times where he should’ve smacked the s–t outta somebody, and he didn’t,” the veteran recording producer stated. He added, “So for him to have a lapse of judgment, he’s human. I think a lot of the criticism comes from the people who don’t think people that that are human.”
Smith has found much support from those who’ve watched him over his three-decades-long career, including Denzel Washington, who was spotted comforting the “King Richard” star shortly after he assaulted Rock for making a joke a Jada Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head.
On April 2, the “Macbeth” star, who earned his tenth Oscar nomination but ultimately lost to Smith, told Variety, “Fortunately, there were people there. Not just me, but others. Tyler Perry came immediately right over there with me. [Said] some prayers.” He added, “I don’t wanna say what we talked about, but for the grace of God go any of us. Who are we to condemn?”
Smith has since apologized for his actions on Sunday, March 27, and has resigned from the Academy. Meanwhile, board members of the organization announced on Friday, April 8, that Smith would be banned from all Oscar-related events for the next ten years. In a brief statement via a spokesperson, Smith said, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
