Denzel Washington Prayed w/ Will Smith After Oscars Slap

Denzel Washington is breaking his silence on the Will Smith Oscars slap. The Hollywood icon shared his thoughts during an appearance at pastor T.D. Jakes' international leadership summit on Saturday, where he reportedly said he is not in a position to condemn Will's actions. According to multiple outlets including Variety, Denzel explained that he believes "the devil got ahold of that circumstance that night" and the "only solution" is prayer.

[disneygal]

So while Denzel, Tyler and Bradley came to Will's side to comfort him, who cared enough to come to Chris Rock to comfort him??? 🤔

[GoldenRashio]

We understand your sentiments, Denzel.
You asked, "who are we to condemn?"
Who is he to physically assault someone!? He condemned himself by his actions. An open rebuke is better than a kiss from an enemy. Every action elicits a reaction; for this is the law of the universe. We can still give compassion whilst remaining just through our observations.

[rosevalerio]

I absolutely love Denzel & I think it's great that he prayed with Will... but I can't help but wonder if he's reached out to Chris to do the same...

[jcyensen]

And then he partied heartily!!! His actions are not about condemnation nor is he the victim. Its about responsibility, justice and consequences for his actions.

[victorarellano]

That prayer must have worked. An hour later, Will was dancing and partying at the Vanity Fair Party.

[Gigi-kisu]

I don't see any photos of him with Chris. I didnt hear him say he prayed with Chris. Easy out ...blame it on the devil.

[jkingston]

He thought he was a hero for slapping Chris and now he thinks he is a hero for resigning. Nope.

[love]

Seems he chose a side!! Why not comfort Chris? You all made Will feel like the victim.

[cjbrown]

People need to stop blaming the devil for individual choices that harm others. I wonder why Denzel did not rush to comfort and pray with Chris? Wasn't that Denzel's voice that yelled, "Love you!" and Smith said, "Thank you, D, " during the acceptance speech.

[Anonymous]

1) The most angry thing a normal person would do if he felt hurt or his loved ones insulted is walk out! He didn't do that. He walked up to a podium that wasn't his and slapped a guy in public view as the whole world watched it. Very troubling behavior.
2) We all need to know - devil is inside us and it's our own mean thoughts. Instead telling Will about the devil getting him, he should've told Will it was WRONG to slap for whatever reason, and aplologize.
3) But Will came out there justifying, telling that he is the river to his people. What? Is he an emperor or a god to have people and provide them with life juice?
4) To me his Oscar speech was the break point. He cried for himself - he expressed no remorse for the behavior, but an explanation. This is where Denzel need to help Will.
5) Where's the humility? It's the $14 to $18 a ticket that people pay to watch at movies that made him express his creative genius/greatness in acting. After $30 years of that support, I'm sure the millions he amassed make him feel invincible. But, as they talk about God, nothing bigger than humility for God. Nothing.

[alanmorris]

Now I've lost all respect for Denzel too. If Denzel was going to "pray" with anyone, it should've been Chris Rock. Incidentally, Will Smith should be in jail.

[samanthawynne]

Why didn’t Denzel run to Chris?! And to go off laughing…such disrespect

[TheAngelmuse]

I respect spirituality, but shift blaming is just plain ridiculous. Stop making excuses for Will and get him to just man up and take full responsibility for his actions. "The devil made him do it?" Yeah yeah

[conniesoukaras]

Did you pray with Chris? I agree with you that prayer is always good and not our place to judge. But Will needs to face charges like any other person committing assault!

[blackstreetboys]

That being said a true Christian would also pray with Chris Rock!!!! It’s all Who is bestie with who!!

[chrisa]

Wow Denzel ... always loved/respected you but you stepping up to essentially "comfort" and defend WS has dismayed and saddened me. Others I've spoken to say the same. Had you gone up to him, told him he was out of line, be a man and right then sincerely apologize to CR as well as everyone else, it would be a whole different story. But, as we all saw and heard, that's not what happened. Sad times we live in. What a disgrace.

[JuanTorres-yihr]

Will didn't made a mistake; meaning, he committed a crime.

[vickihampshire]

I lost much respect for you Denzel!! Much respect lost!! You clearly do not know the difference between right and wrong!!!! It's a clear line. And Will stepped over it!!!

[mollymole]

I cannot understand how this entitled idiots think they can get away with crime because they’re good people after all.
I am too, but if I slap someone the police would come and arrest me. That’s the law, end of story. Pray for him in jail.

[REJECKTID]

Denzel - "Let me get in here... I'd like to stay relevant".