Oscars host Wanda Sykes says Chris Rock apologised to her after getting slapped onstage by Will Smith

Wanda Sykes said it was unacceptable for The Academy to let Will Smith stay for the ceremony and accept the Best Actor award for King Richard.

Wanda Sykes on the Ellen DeGeneres Show | Image via YouTube screengrab

The Oscars 2022 were certainly eventful but not for the right reasons. The Chris Rock and Will Smith exchange is the only thing that has been discussed ever since the airing of the ceremony worldwide.

Now, Oscars host Wanda Sykes has spoken about Rock apologising to her after he was slapped by Smith for making a joke at Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. In an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Sykes said that she did not witness the confrontation in person but was shown a video of it, which left her feeling "physically felt ill."

Sykes admitted to feeling "still traumatised" by the incident and revealed that Rock apologised to her for this later at a party.

"I’m like, ‘Why are you apologising?’ And he was like, ‘It was supposed to be your night. You and Amy (Schumer) and Regina (Hall), you all were doing such a great job. I’m so sorry, this is now going to be about this," Sykes told DeGeneres.

The actress-comedian added that she believed it was unacceptable for The Academy to let Smith stay for the ceremony and accept the Best Actor award for King Richard.

Sykes shared her indignation at the incident, saying that she, the other hosts and the team behind the ceremony had worked hard to make the event happen: "We’re going to take care of you all tonight, make sure you have a good time, and no one has apologised to us. We worked really hard to put that show together. Like the industry itself, what the hell is this?

In his acceptance speech, Smith had extended an apology for the slap though without directly addressing Rock. He had later shared a statement stating that his actions were "unacceptable and inexcusable."

Rock, on the other hand, had said that he is still processing the magnanimity of the incident. He has not pressed charges against Smith.

Recently, the Academy condemned Smith's actions and said that the actor was asked to leave the ceremony but refused to do so. The board of governors intend to initiate disciplinary action against the actor for violating the code of conduct.

Watch Sykes' appearance on the talk show here:

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