The comedian reveals that Will Smith reached out following the infamous 2022 Oscars incident where he slapped Chris Rock on stage.

A Long-Awaited Call

October 28, 2025: Wanda Sykes, who co-hosted the 2022 Oscars alongside Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, recently confirmed that Will Smith did, in fact, call her to apologize for the shocking on-stage altercation with Chris Rock. She revealed that she was ill at the time and couldn’t take the call but sent Smith a text thanking him for reaching out.

That Night Still Overshadows Her Hosting

Sykes admitted that although hosting the Oscars was a dream come true, the moment Smith slapped Rock completely overshadowed the event and her experience. She said that many people forget she was even a host because the slap became the sole focus of that year’s ceremony. Despite that, she fondly remembered working with Schumer and Hall, calling it one of her favorite professional experiences.

Apology Delayed Yet Delivered

The comedian shared that Smith’s call came some time after the ceremony.

“He called. I had COVID or a bad cold. I just texted to say, ‘Hey, I got your message. Thank you. I can’t talk.’ But he did call.”

Sykes’ confirmation offers new perspective, as she had initially stated that she hadn’t received a personal apology from Smith.

Why This Matters

This revelation adds a fresh layer to one of Hollywood’s most talked-about live TV moments. It shows that Smith took steps to make amends with others involved in the ceremony, even if the process took time. For Sykes, it’s also a reminder that her groundbreaking hosting role deserves to be remembered for more than just that headline-making slap.