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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Emma Wilson

Will Smith flies to India for 'spiritual purposes' to escape Oscars slap drama

Will Smith has reportedly flown to India for ‘spiritual purposes’ as he tries to escape his Oscars slap drama.

The 53-year-old actor stunned the world when he stormed the stage during the live awards ceremony and assaulted Chris Rock, after the comedian made a joke about Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

The King Richard star - who resigned from the Academy following the slap - has been laying low since the incident, which also saw him banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years.

Will flew halfway around the world to escape the spotlight, and landed in India to embark on a trip that will focus on practising yoga and meditation, a source told People magazine.

The dad-of-three arrived at a private airport in Mumbai, where he was greeted by paparazzi, and later posed for photographs with waiting fans.

He is said to have travelled for “spiritual purposes” and was reportedly keen to take time out to reflect on the shocking incident, which left the star-studded audience - and millions of viewers at home - gobsmacked.

Furious Academy bosses were rumoured to be considering revoking Will’s Oscar win, as he won the Best Actor gong for his role in King Richard just moments after he slapped Chris on stage.

He was greeted by paparazzi and adoring fans who had waited to greet him (Varinder Chawla/MEGA)

However, they instead gave him a decade-long ban, which will mean he’s uninvited to the Oscars, as well as other events.

The Men In Black star apologised for his behaviour in an emotional statement, and vowed to change his ways, as he fears his Hollywood career could be over.

Will said he was forced to defend his wife Jada, who suffers from alopecia, when Chris cracked a joke about her hair loss, but admitted his actions were “shocking, painful and inexcusable”.

Will was banned from the Oscars for 10 years following the shocking incident (AFP via Getty Images)

“Change takes time, and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason,” he said.

The Matrix star Jada has kept quiet over the incident, but recently confirmed she and her famous family - including daughter Willow and son Jaden - will discuss the Oscars slap on her online show Red Table Talk.

“The Smith family has been focusing on deep healing. Some of the discoveries around our healing will be shared when the time calls,” a statement read.

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