Home Christian News Denzel Washington Discusses Oscars Incident With T.D. Jakes: ‘The Only Solution Was...

Denzel Washington Discusses Oscars Incident With T.D. Jakes: ‘The Only Solution Was Prayer’

“I don’t know all the ends and outs of this situation. I know the only solution was prayer, the way I saw it,” Washington went on to say.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Washington told Jakes that after the slapping incident took place, there was no way he was just going to sit in his seat and not intervene. “I couldn’t have sat in my seat. No way I could have sat in my seat. That’s just not who I am,” he said.

Jakes shared with ABC News as to why he thought Smith slapped Rock, saying, “I think that they sensed that there was trauma involved and that there was pain involved and sometimes pain parades itself as anger.”

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“If cameras were following us around all the time and if we were on live television, we would all have moments that we would like to have edited out of our lives. And the only way to edit those moments out of our lives, from a spiritual perspective, is to repent and pray and learn from it and grow from it and be a better person because of it,” Washington said.

Smith Issues an Apology and Resigns From the Academy

Smith issued an apology on Instagram almost 24 hours after he slapped Rock. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote. Apologizing to Rock, Smith said that he was “out of line” and “wrong.”

“I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be,” Smith wrote. “There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

Smith also apologized to the Academy and the Williams family, whom the movie “King Richard” was based on. “I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.”

On Friday, April 1, 2022, Smith announced his resignation from the Academy.

“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct,” Smith said in statement given to Fox News. “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy.”

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“I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film,” the statement went on to say. “So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate…Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”