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After Chris Rock, Serena Williams’ Father Berates Oscars 2023 Organizers for Their Extreme Step to Not Have Another Will Smith-Like Scandal

Published 03/07/2023, 6:11 AM EST

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Richard Williams is someone who has played a huge role in building a successful career for his daughters, Venus Williams and Serena Williams. His life was adapted into a movie in which he was portrayed by Will Smith. The movie, with its rave reviews and several nominations for the Oscars, gained worldwide fame. However, everything derailed after the infamous ‘slapgate’ incident between Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock. The Oscars team kept the incident in mind and has levied stringent punishments, like banning Smith for a decade from the Academy Awards. Richard Williams recently spoke about it and how he felt about the measures put in place.

Will Smith was nominated and won the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard. But something else took attention from win. Chris Rock made a joke at the expense of Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Smith reacted by walking up to the stage and striking Chris Rock across the face.

Serena Williams’ father thinks the Oscars overreacted

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In a recent interview with Good Morning Britain, Williams talked about how Will Smith was being treated after the slapping incident at the Oscars. As per Richard, Smith’s reaction was justified. He also talked about Oscars implementing a crisis management team at this year’s event to make sure something like that doesn’t happen again.

Williams said that he thought the precaution was being blown out of proportion. He said, “I think it’s a very overreaction, I think it is an extreme reaction.

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In the interview, Williams also talked about how he perceived the slapping incident at the 2022 Oscars. Williams believed that he felt no sympathy for Rock. He also added that Smith did the right thing as Rock insulted his wife and said that he would’ve been more violent if he were in the situation.

‘Should Be Just One Day’- Chris Rock’s Oscars Humiliation Brutally Dismissed by Serena Williams’ Father as Will Smith Receives Massive Backing

When I was about 51-years or younger, I almost killed any damn one, so I think Mr. Smith done a great deal not to,” Williams said regarding the ‘slapgate’.

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Watch this story –‘To Be the Face of Anything Is Tough’- 18-Year-Old Coco Gauff Removes Serena Williams’ Burden Once and for All With a Harsh Statement

Williams is respectful of Smith and believes that the academy should lift the ban on Smith. What do you think about Williams opinion regarding the situation?

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Written by:

Ripunjay Gaba

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Ripunjay is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. He completed his bachelor’s in Economics at Ambedkar University, New Delhi and worked as a freelance writer for a renowned sports publication, covering various social media personalities. Ripunjay is a diehard Roger Federer fan, whose dominance on the ATP Tour made him fall in love with tennis.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas