“I didn’t beat up a guy”: Will Smith slapped a reporter on the red carpet because he felt “awkward”

“I didn’t beat up a guy”: Will Smith slapped a reporter on the red carpet because he felt “awkward”

Will Smith has attempted to explain why he gave a reporter a backhand slap on the red carpet over the weekend, laughing it off as “awkward”.

Speaking on the Late Show With David Letterman last night, Will said that he struck Vitalii Sediuk â€" a TV prankster from Ukraine â€" at the Russian premiere of Men In Black, but he didn’t “beat him up”.

Will told the host: “I didn't beat up a guy! We're doing an interview and he says, 'I'm your biggest fan, can I have a hug?'

“So I go to give this joker a hug, and he tries to lean in and kiss me! It's just awkward.”

The TV presenter kept trying to go for the mouth...

... so Will told him off...

... and gave Vitalii a backhand...

...check out the wrist action!

You’d think slapping the bloke would make it more awkward, but Will continued: “The [red carpet officials] were saying, 'We're sorry, that's just his schtick'.

“Well that's why his ass got schtuck.”

 

If you didn’t see the incident (and can’t be bothered to watch the video), Will, 43, was innocently walking up the red carpet when Vitalii Sediuk â€" a known 'TV prankster' in Ukraine â€" grabbed Will and kissed him on the face.

Will managed to avoid the full-on mouth kiss (twice) by moving his face, but after a third lunge from Vitalii, a shocked Will pushed his kissing attacker back. He then got really quite angry and gave the reporter a backhand slap.  

"Hey man, what is your problem?" Will shouted, before walking away. He added: “He tried to kiss me on the mouth! He's lucky I didn't try to sucker punch him… sorry, I said that on camera.”