# 'King Richard' Co-Star Defends Smith's Oscars Slap, Says Free Speech Doesn't Protect "A-Holes"

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred alongside Will Smith in "King Richard," publicly defended Smith's infamous Oscars slap of Chris Rock. She argued that the First Amendment should not shield offensive speech, saying she stands by Smith's actions. Her comments reignite debate over the incident and the limits of free expression.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Entertainment
- [Variety](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/aunjanue-ellis-taylor-will-smith-oscars-slap-1236834055/) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:45:04 +0000