Will Smith posts emotional new apology for Oscars slap

Will Smith marched onto stage during the Oscars ceremony broadcast live around the world and hit the comedian Chris Rock, over a joke about the star's wife

Actor Will Smith has posted an emotional new apology for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars earlier this year, revealing in a lengthy video clip that he has reached out to the comedian who was not yet "ready to talk."

Smith -- who went on to win the best actor award -- marched on stage and hit Rock for making a joke about his wife, in an incident that overshadowed the March ceremony, being broadcast live around the world.

Smith had made a public apology shortly after the incident, and was banned from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years after the slap. 

In the video posted to social media Friday, Smith said his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who was seated next to him and grimaced as Rock joked about her, said nothing to prompt his attack.

"There's no part of me that thinks that's the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults," says the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor, who at one point in the video appears to be fighting tears.

"Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face," he reportedly joked, before adding "I'm not a victim... I don't go to the hospital for a papercut."

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Originally published as Will Smith posts emotional new apology for Oscars slap