Actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor has spoken out in defense of Will Smith over his infamous onstage slap at the Academy Awards, describing the actor as a protective figure who sought to defend his wife. Speaking during an episode of the Daily Beast’s “Obsessed” podcast, the “King Richard” star stated that she understands Smith’s actions during the televised ceremony and stands by him, while simultaneously leveling harsh criticism at comedian Chris Rock.
Minutes later, Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in “King Richard,” a biographical drama in which Ellis-Taylor starred opposite him as Oracene “Brandi” Price. Both actors received Oscar nominations for their performances, with Ellis-Taylor earning a nod for Best Supporting Actress.
Reflecting on that night, Ellis-Taylor made her stance clear. “I know that he wanted to protect his wife,” she said during the podcast appearance, adding, “I stand by that. I stand with him for that.”
Critique of First Amendment Protections and Chris Rock
During the podcast discussion, Ellis-Taylor expanded her commentary to address free speech protections, specifically criticizing how the First Amendment is invoked. She used strong language to characterize Rock, referring to him as an “a–hole” in comments surrounding the fallout from the joke.
“I think that, you know, this idea that First Amendment rights should protect everybody? I don’t think it should necessarily protect a–holes,” Ellis-Taylor explained. “I don’t. I don’t. I really don’t, especially if you’re causing harm.”
The actress further connected her views on speech to other cultural debates, expressing deep skepticism regarding how constitutional protections are cited in public discourse. She noted that she is disturbed when broad First Amendment defenses are utilized to justify symbols such as the Confederate flag, arguing that speech protections require nuance rather than blanket valorization when used as an excuse to cause harm.
Reflections on Working Together on “King Richard”
Beyond the Academy Awards controversy, Ellis-Taylor shared fond memories of sharing the screen with Smith during the production of their acclaimed sports drama. She portrayed the matriarch of the Williams family, helping anchor a film that chronicled the upbringing of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams.
Describing behind-the-scenes dynamics, Ellis-Taylor characterized Smith as a nurturing presence for the entire cast and crew. “Will Smith is the most caretaking actor that I’ve ever worked with,” she said, noting that he actively looked out for everyone during the grueling filming schedule. She emphasized that his protective instincts extended beyond the script, stating that he simply would not allow anyone to be treated poorly in his presence.
“He would just not allow it. And I cannot tell you how rare that is in this job. I will always have a great deal of affection and care for him because he acted that way,” she added.
Fallout and Consequences of the Incident
The altercation at the Academy Awards triggered significant professional repercussions for Smith. Following the broadcast, the actor was formally banned from attending the Oscars or any Academy-related events for a period of 10 years.
The day after the incident, Smith issued a public apology via social media directed at Rock and the Academy. “I was out of line and I was wrong,” Smith wrote at the time. “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.”
Representatives for both Smith and Rock did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Ellis-Taylor’s recent remarks.