Richard Williams, father of Serena and Venus, defends Will Smith over Chris Rock slap

The Academy Awards are just days away, but the 2022 ceremony is still being talked about – a year after Will Smith slapped host Chris Rock on stage. In a recent interview, Richard Williams, the father of pro tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, defended Smith, who portrayed him in the film "King Richard."

In an interview with the U.K.'s "Good Morning Britain," Williams, 81, said he'd always stand by Smith, who received widespread backlash for the on-stage slap, and was banned from the Oscars for 10 years. 

After Rock likened Jada Pinkett Smith to movie character "G.I. Jane" because she is bald due  to a diagnosis of alopecia, Smith swiftly got up on stage and struck the comedian.