Will Smith is forgiving himself for “being human,” eight months after The Slap

Will Smith is getting candid about the slap seen around the world. The actor spoke of the incident that made waves throughout Hollywood and social media while promoting his new Apple TV+ film, Emancipation, on Monday’s episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah — the first time he addressed the public since posting an apology on Instagram in July.

For the uninitiated, Smith came under fire on Oscars night earlier this year when he walked up to the stage and slapped host Chris Rock immediately after the comedian and host made a comment about Smith’s wife, Jada. Moments later, Smith won the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in King Richard, prompting an acceptance speech that did not include an apology to Rock. “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said,” Smith shared at the time, alluding to the slap. “I look like the crazy father just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”