Chris Rock ‘didn’t deserve to be hit’: Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star weighs in on Oscars slap

Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Tatyana Ali has opened up about the Oscar-winner’s slap against Chris Rock.

Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star has spoken out about the actor slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.

Over the weekend, Tatyana Ali who played the star’s younger cousin on the 90s sitcom, took to Twitter to share her thoughts about the infamous incident.

“I love #WillSmith very much. @ChrisRock didn’t deserve to be hit. Period,” the 43-year-old wrote.

“My heart aches for what has happened. I don’t know what caused that chaos & confusion, but I do know that Will has a big heart.

“I’ve seen him many times try his best to do what is right. I believe in him.”

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Tatyana Ali with Will Smith and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast in 1993. Picture: Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images.

Ali is the second former castmate to comment on the much-talked-about Oscars moment.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Janet Hubert who played the original Aunt Viv on the series, defended the King Richard star for his actions in a now deleted Instagram post.

“So PROUD OF YOU!” Hubert wrote with a picture of Smith giving his acceptance speech.

“Yes, there is only so much one can take … sometimes you have to slap back. Celebrate the win … nothing else matters. Both actions were incorrect but Chris didn’t need to go there.”

Hubert also took a dig at Rock writing, “Met him once …. it was enough for me …. very mean spirited.”

Janet Hubert's now deleted Instagram post. Picture: Instagram/janethubertformyfanspage.

Janet Hubert with Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Picture: Mike Ansell/NBCU Photo Bank.

Last week, when the comedian took the Oscars stage to present the Academy Award for Best Documentary, he looked over at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, and joked, “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see you.”

The quip was not taken well by the actress, who is bald as a result of her struggles with alopecia.

After she was seen on camera rolling her eyes, Smith, 53, rushed the stage to slap Rock. Once The Independence Day star returned to his seat, he yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at Monday’s Oscars. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP.

The Oscar-winner took to Instagram and apologised to Rock for hitting him, saying “violence is poisonous and destructive”.

“My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote. “Jokes at my expense are a part of the job but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

“I would like to publicly apologize (sic) to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.

“There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

Smith announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Saturday.

The actor said he “betrayed the trust of the Academy” in a statement.

“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy,” Smith said.

Smith added that he “deprived other nominees and winners” of their chance to celebrate, and said he will accept any further consequences from the Board.

“I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate,” Smith’s statement continued.

“Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason,” Smith added.

Smith announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Saturday. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president David Rubin said in a statement that it has accepted Smith’s resignation, and will continue to move forward with disciplinary proceedings against Smith.

“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18,” Rubin said.

– With Fox News