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Will Smith’s ex-wife hopes actor will receive ‘forgiveness’ after Oscars slap

‘You cannot heal without forgiveness,’ Sheree Zampino said

Tom Murray
Saturday 20 August 2022 07:56 BST
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Watch Will Smith's full video addressing the Chris Rock Oscars slap

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Will Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, has come out “in support” of the actor after the infamous Oscars slap earlier this year.

Smith struck presenter Chris Rock across the face at this year’s ceremony after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head.

Zampino – whom Smith was married to from 1992 to 1995 and shares son Trey Smith with – told The Daily Mail: “I hope people allow [Will] to be human,” said Zampino. “I really hope for that because I stand in support of him, we are on good terms.”

“You cannot heal without forgiveness,” she added.

Zampino, who stars in Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, continued: “I hope with him – he’s been in the business since 16 with Fresh Prince Of Bel Air. He gives so generously, he puts love into everything he does, he’s so gracious, so kind, he has heart connection to his fans.”

In a YouTube video posted in late July, Smith answered fan questions regarding the March fiasco denying that his wife Pinkett Smith asked him to act on her behalf.

Elsewhere in the video, Smith touched upon the reason why he didn’t apologise to Rock soon after the incident while he was on stage receiving his first Best Actor Academy Award.

Read a full transcript of Will Smith’s video apology here.

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