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Chris Rock's team shuts down HOAX that he apologized to Will and Jada Smith

After Smith issued an apology to Rock, an alleged apology from the comedian started making the rounds on social media

The slap gate incident that happened between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards has been a trending topic ever since it happened. Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith's bald head, at the ceremony on Sunday, March 27. Smith walked onto the stage and slapped Rock for the joke about his wife, who suffers from alopecia.

On March 28, Smith issued an apology to Rock after public outrage. Around the same time, an alleged apology from Chris Rock to Pinkett and Smith started making the rounds on social media. However, Rock's team has shut down rumors by stating the statement is not from Rock. Senior Film Editor Rebecca Keegan tweeted, "Chris Rock has not yet issued a statement. There is a statement going around purporting to be from Rock that is not from him, per his team. It's the one that starts, 'As a comedian it can be difficult to understand...'"

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The fake statement read, "As a comedian it can be difficult to understand which lines are to be crossed and which ones aren't. Last night I crossed a line that I shouldn't have and paid the enormous price of my reputation as a renown comedian. Comedy is never about poking fun at or making lite of people with major ordeals happening in their lives. Comedy is about using real-life circumstances to create laughter and bring light to an otherwise dark world."

The false apology further continued, "With that said, I sincerely apologize to my friends Jada Pinkett-Smith, Will Smith, and the rest of the Smith family for the disrespect and disregard I displayed which was unfortunately broadcast for the world to see. I hope that, with time, forgiveness can come of this situation and we can all be better, more considerate people in the world." Leslie Sloane, Rock's publicist, confirmed in an email that the apology was "fake," but did not respond to whether Rock planned to apologize, as per AP News.

Meanwhile, Smith's apology said, "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally. I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness. I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will."

Rock refused to file a report against Smith after the slap gate incident that sparked wide outrage. The statement from the Los Angeles Police Department reads, "LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report," as per Variety.