I’m Will Smith’s friend and I know the real reason he snapped at the Oscars – it was a traumatic memory from his past

thesun.co.uk:

WILL SMITH has issued a grovelling public apology to Chris Rock – as he battles to save his career. The actor, whose Oscar win is “under review” following his now infamous slap, confirmed his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.

However, according to sources involved with the King Richard star’s recent memoirs, he was “triggered” to react violently on Sunday night by traumatic childhood abuse.

Friends of the 53-year-old claim he was propelled into action after feeling helpless aged nine while witnessing his father Willard Carroll Smith Sr beat up his mum Caroline and doing “nothing”.

When comedian Chris mocked wife Jada’s alopecia, Will is said to have been “taken back to childhood, and snapped”. A source close to Mark Manson, who co-wrote Will’s 2021 memoir called Will, said last night: “Will knows he’s battling to save his career, his reputation and even his Oscar.