Will Smith Makes First In-person Speech At AAFCA Awards After Oscars Slap?

Will Smith made a triumphant return to the awards season on Wednesday evening at the African American Film Critics Association Awards. Smith took the stage to receive the Beacon Award and deliver his first in-person speech at an awards ceremony since his controversial moment at the 2022 Oscars. The actor was embroiled in a scandal after slapping Chris Rock onstage. Smith's "Emancipation" co-star Charmaine Bingwa and AAFCA co-founder Gill Robertson introduced the actor and Antoine Fuqua, the director of the historical drama, at the ceremony.