Mila Kunis says 'shocking' standing ovation for Will Smith at the Oscars was 'insane'
Topics: Celebrity, Will Smith, Oscars
Emma Guinness
Featured Image Credit: Sydney Alford / Alamy Stock Photo REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Celebrity, Will Smith, Oscars
Will Smith stunned the world earlier this year when he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, resulting in a 10-year ban from the prestigious event.
Now, Mila Kunis, 39, has stood by her decision to not give the actor, 54, a standing ovation when he won Best Actor for King Richard after the shocking moment.
Kunis told C Magazine in a new interview that she was shocked so many people applauded Smith after he had slapped Rock.
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The actor said: "The idea of leading by example only makes sense when you actually have someone to lead. We have our tiny little tribe here at home, and never once do I want to tell them to do something if I'm not willing to do it myself.
"Not standing up, to me, was a no-brainer, but what was shocking to me was how many people did stand up.
"I thought, 'Wow, what a time we're living in that rather than do what's right, people focus on doing what looks good.' It's insane to me."
Following the controversial incident and Smith's subsequent decade-long ban from the Oscars, he apologised to Rock for his actions.
He said in a YouTube video: "I've reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he's not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out. So I will say to you, Chris, I apologise to you. My behaviour was unacceptable, and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk."
As reported by Yahoo! News, while Smith can't attend the Oscars in the next award cycle, his upcoming film Emancipation will be eligible, which means he could win again but not be able to collect his award.
Smith said that he is ultimately 'trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself', and stressed: "I'm human. I made a mistake and I'm trying not to think of myself as a piece of s**t."
The I Am Legend actor also took the opportunity to apologise to his fans, telling them that he will behave better in future and hopefully win their approval again.
"I hate when I let people down," he admitted. "It hurts me psychologically and emotionally to know I didn't live up to people's image and impression of me."
"I know it was confusing, I know it was shocking, but I promise you I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world. And if you hang on, I promise we'll be able to be friends again."