Richard Williams has broken his silence on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
Williams, who is Serena and Venus Williams’ father, was portrayed by Smith in the Oscar-nominated film King Richard. He said, via his son Chavoita LeSane, to NBC News: “We don’t know all the details of what happened. But we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defense.”
LeSane, who has been serving as Richard Williams’ spokesman since he had a stroke in 2016 said his father was surprised when Smith retaliated against the comedian.
“I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams,” Smith said in his acceptance speech. “But love will make you do crazy things.”
Smith has since apologized to Rock in a lengthy Instagram post.
Venus and Serena have yet to publicly comment on the slap.