Will Smith to lie low at plush celeb retreat as Chris Rock puts on brave face after Oscars slap

SHAMED Hollywood star Will Smith will chill out at a plush retreat to recover from stress following the backlash over his slapping of Chris Rock at the Oscars. The 53-year-old will visit a high-end US sanctuary to take a work break after the shock on-stage assault. It comes as the star resigned from the Oscars’ […]

SHAMED Hollywood star Will Smith will chill out at a plush retreat to recover from stress following the backlash over his slapping of Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The 53-year-old will visit a high-end US sanctuary to take a work break after the shock on-stage assault.

It comes as the star resigned from the Oscars’ Academy and issued a public apology — raising questions over whether he fears being stripped of his Best Actor award.

In a statement announcing his resignation, he said his actions were “shocking, painful, and inexcusable”.

The Academy accepted the resignation and is “continuing to move forward” with disciplinary proceedings.

Smith slapped comedian Rock, 57, over a joke about his wife Jada’s shaved head — a result of the hair loss condition alopecia.

He won the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard, in which he plays the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

A Hollywood insider said: “The impact of the backlash has hit Will hard, so he will be getting help on dealing with stress.

“This is unquestionably the battle of his career.

“It will be a high-end retreat used by the rich and famous and he will be doing a lot of soul searching and working out how he can move forward.

“He hopes the conversation will move on so he can come back and salvage his reputation and career.

“His resignation speech raises the possibility that he fears he will be stripped of his Oscar. That would be a hammer blow to him.”

Meanwhile, Rock has been continuing his US comedy tour.

Smith’s next movie, Emancipation, in which he stars as an escaped slave in 1863, had been tipped to win big at next year’s Academy Awards.

It was bought by Apple TV for £92million in 2020 and is scheduled for release later this year.

But the situation complicates promotional duties needed for the film.

Smith’s resignation statement read: “My actions were shocking, painful, and inexcusable.

“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences.

“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.

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