Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who co-starred with Will Smith in "King Richard," has defended the actor's public slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, stating she stands by his actions to protect his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. The incident occurred after Rock made a joke about Pinkett-Smith's shaved head.
"I know that he wanted to protect his wife," Ellis-Taylor said in a recent episode of the Daily Beast's "Obsessed" podcast. "I stand by that. I stand with him for that."
Ellis-Taylor, who played Oracene "Brandy" Williams, the onscreen wife of Smith's character Richard Williams, expressed her views on the use of the First Amendment. "I think that, you know, this idea that First Amendment rights should protect everybody? I don't think it should necessarily protect a–holes," she stated. "I don't. I don't. I really don't, especially if you're causing harm."
The actress elaborated that she objects to the First Amendment being invoked to defend actions she considers harmful, drawing a parallel to its misuse in defending the Confederate flag. "I know blanket First Amendment valorization," she said. "I don't buy into that. I just don't. To say the least, it needs to be nuanced. You can't use it as an excuse to harm someone."
Ellis-Taylor also spoke about her experience working with Smith on "King Richard," describing him as a "caretaker" for the cast. "Will Smith is the most caretaking actor that I've ever worked with," she said, adding that he "took care of everybody" during filming and would not permit anyone to be treated poorly in his presence.
"He just would 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," Ellis-Taylor remarked.
Smith received a 10-year ban from the Academy Awards and all Academy events following the slap. The day after the incident, Smith issued an apology on social media, stating, "I was out of line and I was wrong."
He continued, "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."
