Serena Williams has broken her silence on Will Smith's' controversial reaction to Chris Rock's joke about Jada Pinkett Smith during the 2022 Oscars .
MORE: Serena and Venus Williams steal the show at the Oscars in daring gowns
Taking to Instagram Stories, the tennis pro appears to have been left speechless by the shocking moment that saw the actor crash the stage and physically assault the comedian. In a video seemingly addressing the incident, she could be seen looking at the camera and then away again with a look of total surprise on her face.
WATCH: Serena Williams reacts to Will Smith and Chris Rock on stage Oscars altercation
She then followed this up with another video. "I just sat down 'cus I was like I gotta put that drink down" she began before cheers for another Academy Award winner erupted in the room around her, cutting her off.
MORE: Oscars 2022: See the complete winners list
MORE: Serena and Venus Williams reveal bittersweet reaction to family biopic King Richard
After Chris made a joke about his wife's shaved head following her battle with alopecia while presenting the award for Best Documentary, Will left his seat in the audience and slapped him before yelling "keep my wife's name out your [expletive] mouth".
Moments after the incident occurred, Will then picked up the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Serena and sister Venus' father Richard Williams in the biopic, King Richard.
Will was apologetic in his acceptance speech
Returning to stage to accept the honour, Will was apologetic and gave a tearful acceptance speech in which he began by comparing himself to his King Richard character, who was a "fierce defender of his family."
"In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world," he said. "I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.
"I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern. I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I'm not crying for winning an award, it's not about winning an award for me, it's about being able to shine a light."
MORE: Will Smith apologises after Chris Rock altercation in tearful speech
"Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things," he said before expressing his hope that the Academy invites him back after the altercation.
Read more HELLO! US stories here
Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.