Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage; Carlos Alvarez/GettyTyler Perryhas had to navigate a delicate dynamic in wake of theWill SmithandChris Rockincident at the Oscars in March.During a Tribeca Film Festival Q&A on Monday withGayle King, the Academy Award honoree, 52, opened up about the “very difficult” experience of being friends with both actors after Smith, 53,infamously smackedRock, 57, at the 94th Academy Awards.“There’s a difference between comforting and deescalating, that’s number one,” Perry said, recounting: “And I left early to get to Chris to make sure he was okay. Being friends with both of them has been very difficult.“Santiago Felipe/GettyPerry went on to detail what happened in the moments following the attack and how heattempted to console both his friends.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I was there, close up. I left early to go check on Chris because it was wrong in no uncertain terms, and I made sure I said that to Will,” he said. “And I’ll tell you, when we walked over to him, he was devastated. He couldn’t believe what happened. He couldn’t believe he did it. And I’m looking at this man in his eyes going, ‘What are you doing? This is your night.’ ““And to get all the way to this moment, winning an Oscar, that was one of the crowning moments of his career that he wanted so desperately. And to have something like that happen, I think he is very much in reflection of trying to figure out what happened,” Perry continued.For more on Tyler Perry, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.He remained diplomatic, empathizing with both Smith and Rock, while acknowledging that theFresh Prince of Bel-Airalum was still in the wrong.“And trust me, as painful as it was for all of us in the room, it was as painful for Chris, who was a pure champion for the way he handled it,” Perry said. “But I want you to understand that something happened that was extremely painful for [Will] as well. That is no excuse. He was completely wrong for what he did. But something triggered him — that is so out of everything he is.“ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyThe debacle at March’s award show unraveled after Rock made light ofJada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss (Pinkett Smith, 50, has been open aboutliving with alopecia). “Jada, I love ya.G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” he joked.Will then walked onto the stage and slapped Rock in the face, leaving the audience and live viewers around the world stunned. “Oh wow,” said Rock as Smith made his way back to his seat. “Will Smithjust smacked the s— out of me.“RELATED VIDEO: HowWill SmithSmacking Chris Rock atthe Oscars— and the Aftermath — Unfolded"Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!” Smith yelled up to the stage after taking his seat. TheKing Richardstar went on to win best actor later in the night.Will has sinceapologized to Rockandresignedfrom the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whichbanned him from the awards showfor 10 years. He can still be nominated and win one of the coveted awards.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage; Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Tyler Perryhas had to navigate a delicate dynamic in wake of theWill SmithandChris Rockincident at the Oscars in March.During a Tribeca Film Festival Q&A on Monday withGayle King, the Academy Award honoree, 52, opened up about the “very difficult” experience of being friends with both actors after Smith, 53,infamously smackedRock, 57, at the 94th Academy Awards.“There’s a difference between comforting and deescalating, that’s number one,” Perry said, recounting: “And I left early to get to Chris to make sure he was okay. Being friends with both of them has been very difficult.“Santiago Felipe/GettyPerry went on to detail what happened in the moments following the attack and how heattempted to console both his friends.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I was there, close up. I left early to go check on Chris because it was wrong in no uncertain terms, and I made sure I said that to Will,” he said. “And I’ll tell you, when we walked over to him, he was devastated. He couldn’t believe what happened. He couldn’t believe he did it. And I’m looking at this man in his eyes going, ‘What are you doing? This is your night.’ ““And to get all the way to this moment, winning an Oscar, that was one of the crowning moments of his career that he wanted so desperately. And to have something like that happen, I think he is very much in reflection of trying to figure out what happened,” Perry continued.For more on Tyler Perry, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.He remained diplomatic, empathizing with both Smith and Rock, while acknowledging that theFresh Prince of Bel-Airalum was still in the wrong.“And trust me, as painful as it was for all of us in the room, it was as painful for Chris, who was a pure champion for the way he handled it,” Perry said. “But I want you to understand that something happened that was extremely painful for [Will] as well. That is no excuse. He was completely wrong for what he did. But something triggered him — that is so out of everything he is.“ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyThe debacle at March’s award show unraveled after Rock made light ofJada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss (Pinkett Smith, 50, has been open aboutliving with alopecia). “Jada, I love ya.G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” he joked.Will then walked onto the stage and slapped Rock in the face, leaving the audience and live viewers around the world stunned. “Oh wow,” said Rock as Smith made his way back to his seat. “Will Smithjust smacked the s— out of me.“RELATED VIDEO: HowWill SmithSmacking Chris Rock atthe Oscars— and the Aftermath — Unfolded"Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!” Smith yelled up to the stage after taking his seat. TheKing Richardstar went on to win best actor later in the night.Will has sinceapologized to Rockandresignedfrom the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whichbanned him from the awards showfor 10 years. He can still be nominated and win one of the coveted awards.
Tyler Perryhas had to navigate a delicate dynamic in wake of theWill SmithandChris Rockincident at the Oscars in March.
During a Tribeca Film Festival Q&A on Monday withGayle King, the Academy Award honoree, 52, opened up about the “very difficult” experience of being friends with both actors after Smith, 53,infamously smackedRock, 57, at the 94th Academy Awards.
“There’s a difference between comforting and deescalating, that’s number one,” Perry said, recounting: “And I left early to get to Chris to make sure he was okay. Being friends with both of them has been very difficult.”
Santiago Felipe/Getty
Perry went on to detail what happened in the moments following the attack and how heattempted to console both his friends.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I was there, close up. I left early to go check on Chris because it was wrong in no uncertain terms, and I made sure I said that to Will,” he said. “And I’ll tell you, when we walked over to him, he was devastated. He couldn’t believe what happened. He couldn’t believe he did it. And I’m looking at this man in his eyes going, ‘What are you doing? This is your night.’ "
“And to get all the way to this moment, winning an Oscar, that was one of the crowning moments of his career that he wanted so desperately. And to have something like that happen, I think he is very much in reflection of trying to figure out what happened,” Perry continued.
For more on Tyler Perry, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
He remained diplomatic, empathizing with both Smith and Rock, while acknowledging that theFresh Prince of Bel-Airalum was still in the wrong.
“And trust me, as painful as it was for all of us in the room, it was as painful for Chris, who was a pure champion for the way he handled it,” Perry said. “But I want you to understand that something happened that was extremely painful for [Will] as well. That is no excuse. He was completely wrong for what he did. But something triggered him — that is so out of everything he is.”
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty
The debacle at March’s award show unraveled after Rock made light ofJada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss (Pinkett Smith, 50, has been open aboutliving with alopecia). “Jada, I love ya.G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” he joked.
Will then walked onto the stage and slapped Rock in the face, leaving the audience and live viewers around the world stunned. “Oh wow,” said Rock as Smith made his way back to his seat. “Will Smithjust smacked the s— out of me.”
RELATED VIDEO: HowWill SmithSmacking Chris Rock atthe Oscars— and the Aftermath — Unfolded
“Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!” Smith yelled up to the stage after taking his seat. TheKing Richardstar went on to win best actor later in the night.
Will has sinceapologized to Rockandresignedfrom the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whichbanned him from the awards showfor 10 years. He can still be nominated and win one of the coveted awards.
source: people.com
