Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Will Smith's King Richard co-star, said this week she still supports his 2022 Oscars slap of Chris Rock, telling a Daily Beast podcast the actor was trying to protect his wife.
TL;DR
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who played Smith's on-screen wife in King Richard, backed him on The Daily Beast's Obsessed podcast.
- She argued free speech shouldn't shield people who cause harm to others.
- Smith is serving a 10-year ban from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences events over the incident.
- Ellis-Taylor said Smith's conduct on the King Richard set left a lasting impression on her.
What Ellis-Taylor said about the 2022 Oscars incident
Smith walked onto the stage at the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022 and struck comedian Chris Rock after Rock made a joke referencing Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia. Smith went on to win the Best Actor prize that night for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard.
Speaking on the August 12 episode of Obsessed, Ellis-Taylor said she understood why Smith reacted the way he did. "I stand with him for that," she said of her former co-star.
Her case on free speech and harm
Ellis-Taylor, who is from Mississippi, said she has encountered people invoking the First Amendment to defend the Confederate flag, and argued that free-speech protections should not extend to those who cause harm to others. According to the actress, blanket defenses of free speech need more nuance than they typically get in public debate.
Behind the scenes on set
Ellis-Taylor also reflected on working alongside Smith during production of King Richard, saying he made sure everyone on set was treated with respect. She said that quality is rare in the entertainment industry and is part of why her regard for him has endured.
Fallout from the slap, five years on
10 years — length of Smith's ban from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences events Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Smith apologized to Rock in a public statement the day after the ceremony, calling his actions unacceptable. The incident nonetheless delayed the release of his film Emancipation and continues to shape conversation around his career.
UK release: how to watch King Richard
King Richard carries a 12A certificate from the BBFC, citing moderate violence, threat and infrequent strong language. UK viewers can currently stream the film on Prime Video or buy it through the Apple TV Store.
Sources: The Daily Beast, Parade, AOL Entertainment
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed August 14, 2026.
