Will Smith Makes First Awards Show Speech Since 2022 Oscars

Will Smith is back on an awards show stage for the first time since the 2022 Oscars. The “Emancipation” star accepted his first in-person honor since slapping Chris Rock the Oscars on Wednesday, where the film took home the Beacon Award at the African American Film Critics Association Awards. “I want to thank Gil and AAFCA. I want to thank all of you in this room for doing what you do, keeping our stories alive,” he said in his speech.