Tennis great Serena Williams opens up about Oscars slap that ‘overshadowed’ film

Tennis legend Serena Williams has opened up about the moment at last year’s Oscars that eclipsed the entire Oscars ceremony as the film about her father was nominated six times and won Will Smith the Best Actor award.

However, Smith’s reaction to Chris Rock’s joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, caught the world’s attention last March. Williams, whose father was portrayed in “King Richard,” spoke to CBS’ Gayle King about the famous moment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE AT FOXNEWS.COM

Serena Williams watches against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic during the Women’s Singles Third Round at Arthur Ashe Stadium. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

“I thought it was such an amazing movie, and I feel like there was an amazing movie after that with Questlove that kind of got overshadowed,” she said. “But I also feel like I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and made a lot of mistakes, and I’m the kind of person that’s like, ‘I’ve been there. made a mistake. This is not the end of the world.

“We’re all imperfect and we’re all human, and let’s just be nice to each other. So that’s often forgotten a lot.”

In July, Smith opened up about the slap in a video posted to YouTube.

SERENA WILLIAMS SIZES TENNIS RETURN AFTER RECENT RETIREMENT: ‘TOM BRADY HAS STARTED A REALLY COOL TREND’

Serena Williams of the United States looks frustrated during her match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia in the third round of women’s singles at the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2022 in New York City. (Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

He apologized to Rock’s family and admitted that the choice he made to punch the comedian was his.

“I can tell you all that there’s no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave at that time,” Smith said. “There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the best way to deal with feeling disrespected or insulted.”

Smith ended the video by explaining that “disappointing people” is his “core trauma”.

“I hate when I let people down,” Smith said. “So it hurts. It hurts me psychologically and emotionally to know that I haven’t lived up to the image and the impression that people have of me and the work that I’m trying to do. is that I am deeply remorseful, and I try to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself.”

Will Smith, left, and Jada Pinkett Smith. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Critics Choice)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I am human,” he continued. “And, I made a mistake, and I try not to think of myself as crap. So, I would say to these people, I know it was confusing. I know it was shocking, but I I Promise you that I’m deeply dedicated and committed to bringing light, love and joy into the world, and you know that if you stick with it, I promise we can be friends again.”

Fox News’ Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

Ryan Gaydos is Fox News Digital’s sports editor.