Will Smith's Oscar Slap Has Been A 'Nightmare' For His Family: 'He’ll Never Be Able To Fully Repair The Damage'

The only thing that has been on everyone's mind since Oscar night is not the new milestones that were achieved at the 94th annual award ceremony but Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on live television.

It was an unexpected outburst on Smith's part that drew criticism from fellow actors as well as fans. He has been facing the consequences of his actions. Multiple projects that he was a part of are being put on hold and disciplinary proceedings are set to take place on April 18. It has also affected the people closest to Smith, his family. 

A source close to the family spoke to Us Weekly about the tough time the Smith family is going through. "It’s been a nightmare for everyone," the source revealed. "Will knows the road to redemption is going to be a long and painful one, and there’s a part of him that’s grown to accept he’ll never be able to fully repair the damage that was caused." They added, "They know the best course of action is to stay tight-lipped. The only healer is time." Previously, Jada Pinkett Smith, for whom Smith stood up at the award show, opened up about how she really felt about the incident. As per a source, Jada is not "angry with" her husband for slapping Rock but wishes he had not done it.

"It was in the heat of the moment and it was him overreacting," the source noted. "He knows that, she knows that. They’re in agreement that he overreacted." Smith slapped Rock after the comedian who was presenting an award made a joke about his wife's hair loss, saying he couldn't wait to see her in G.I Jane 2, referring to Demi Moore who sported a bald look for her role. In a public apology released by Smith later, he mentioned: "Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."

The Smiths include Will, 53, his wife, Jada, 50, their children, Jaden, 23, and Willow, 21. Following the slap, newfound footage from the Oscars showed that after Smith walked back to his seat, Jada was laughing at what had transpired. This left many fans fuming at her reaction.

On the other hand, the couple's son, Jaden took to Twitter to express what he thought about the incident. "And That's How We Do It," he tweeted. This did not sit well with social media users who questioned the 23-year-old if he was applauding assault. As for Willow, she also took to Twitter to share: "The meaning of life is found in challenge." She added in another tweet: "Life is a series of reactions."

The Smiths have been transparent about their family drama and have spoken about it openly on multiple occasions, either on Jada and Willow’s Red Table Talk show or Smith's tell-all book. Will and Jada have even discussed their open marriage. Their kids, at least Willow, seem to be accepting of her parents' unconventional relationship. “I feel I’ve always understood that my parents are their own people," she has stated in an interview. "A lot of kids think of their parents like… ‘Your whole identity is for me.’ [But] seeing them in this lifestyle we had, from a very young age, it was clear to me they weren’t just my parents. They’re full, other people who have their own emotions."