Denzel Washington Speaks On Will Smith’s Oscars Slap: “For Whatever Reason The Devil Got A Hold Of Him That Night”
As we previously reported, Denzel Washington was one of the first people to speak with Will Smith following his Oscars slap and before he accepted his best actor award.
On Saturday, Washington made his first public comment on the viral moment, appearing with Pastor T.D. Jakes at a Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Although he was short on specifics, he did disclose his general belief on Smith’s actions.
“There’s a saying when the devil ignores you, then you know you’re doing something wrong,” Washington said. “The devil goes, ‘Oh, no, leave him alone, he’s my favorite.’ Conversely, when the devil comes at you, maybe it’s because he’s trying to do something right. And for whatever reason, the devil got a hold of him that night.”
Washington said that they prayed on Oscar night. “Fortunately there were people there, not just me but others. Tyler Perry, came immediately right over there with me,” Washington said. “Some prayers. I don’t wanna say what we talked about. But there but for the grace of God go any of us. Who are we to condemn? I don’t know all the ins and outs of this situation, but I know the only solution was prayer. The way I saw it. The way I see it.”