Tyler Perry speaks out about infamous Oscars slap

US actor Tyler Perry has spoken about the infamous Oscars slap, revealing what really happened after the incident.

Tyler Perry has spoken out publicly for the first time about the moments after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The 52-year-old star was seen speaking to Smith after the infamous incident.

During a Q&A at the Tribeca Festival, the Gone Girl actor explained he was “de-escalating” the situation, not comforting the Oscar-winner.

“I left early to get to Chris to make sure he was okay. Being friends with both of them has been very difficult,” he said.

“Trust me, as painful as it was for all of us in the room, it was as painful for Chris, who was a pure champion for the way he handled it.

“But I want you to understand that something happened that was extremely painful for [Will] as well.

“That is no excuse. He was completely wrong for what he did. But something triggered him — that is so out of everything he is.”

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Tyler Perry was seen speaking to Will Smith after the infamous Oscars slap. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP.

The Madea creator said Smith was “devastated” after the slap.

“He couldn’t believe he did it. And I’m looking at this man in his eyes, going, ‘What are you doing? This is your night,’” he said.

“And to get all this way to winning an Oscar. It was one of the crowning moments of his career that he wanted so desperately.”

Perry went on to praise Rock as a “pure champion” for handling the incident. He added that “something happened that was extremely painful for [Smith] as well.”

“It’s no excuse, he was completely wrong, but something triggered. That was so out of everything he is,” Perry continued.

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

In March, Rock 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 actor, 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 the comedian.

Once The Independence Day star returned to his seat, he yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”

The Men in Black actor 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 apologise 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.”

Will Smith would be allowed to keep his Oscar – but won’t be allowed to attend the ceremony for a decade. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP.

Smith announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in April.

That same month the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences banned the The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star from attending the Oscars for a decade.

“The Board of Governors has decided, for a period of 10 years, from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” the Academy said.

The statement continued, “We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.”

Smith would be allowed to keep his Oscar he won this year for his role in King Richard.

– With Page Six