Will Smith Feels ‘Terrible’ About Chris Rock Oscars Slap

The very public feud between Chris Rock and Will Smith has entered a new chapter after the former's hilarious Netflix special. However, it seems that Will Smith himself felt terrible after slapping Chris Rock during last year's Oscars.

A source with knowledge of the issue told PEOPLE magazine that Will Smith tried to repair his relationship with the comedian after that infamous incident. He still wants to repair the relationship, says the source.

"He has tried unsuccessfully to make amends in the best way he could with Chris," stated the source, who also added that the "Men in Black" actor "felt terrible for so long" about slapping Rock at the 94th Academy Awards.

"But beyond that, family is important to him and [Smith] leaned on them," the source stated about the aftermath of the "slap heard around the world." The source added, "It all has helped him look inside and mature. He is better but still remorseful," before adding that the actor listened to all the people who tried to help him and now feels that he is a better person because of this.

Chris Rock Remained Quiet Publicly Until Netflix Special

During his live Netflix comedy special, "Chris Rock: Selective Outrage," the former Saturday Night Live comedian briefly touched on Will Smith at the start of his show before finally letting loose against the actor and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, during the show's final 10 minutes.

However, Entertainment Weekly pointed out that the SNL alumni did not even speak about the slap for about a year, only publicly addressing it with "Selective Outrage." He skewered the celebrity couple, saying that the slap hurt Will Smith more than Chris Rock as it had more to do about his marriage to Jada than what Chris Rock said during the Oscars.

"She hurt him way more than he hurt me," Rock stated during the special as he talked about the relationship issues between Will and Jada Pinkett Smith that may have led to the Oscars slap. "Everybody called him a b---- and who did he hit? Me." He concluded.

Chris Rock Riding High After Netflix Special and Not Worried About Backlash

Just two days after the live special's release, an industry source tells PEOPLE that Chris Rock "is riding high from the Netflix special."

The insider claims, "He said what he needed to say and doesn't give a s--- about the reaction either way. He isn't worried." This comes after the source admitted that people around the world have been waiting for the comedian to finally react to Will Smith slapping him live on air.

"For the most part, I think it was well received. People don't expect sugarcoating from Chris Rock," the source stated.

There is some backlash from some, including #OscarsSoWhite creator April Reign, who stated that while Rock did not state Jada's name directly during the special, he did call her a b*tch, and that seems just as bad, if not worse. TO ME." She also noted that Rock picked Baltimore as the location of his special because it was Jada's hometown.

However, others, including comedian Leslie Jones, came to her fellow SNL comedian's defense, saying, "Y'all forget he got slapped in front of the world yo! His kids, his mama, peers EVERYONE! I wonder how y'all muthaf----s would handle that! And he is A COMEDIAN this is his way of expressing it. If he sang he would write a song. Cause it's a painful thing that happen."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Chris Rock DESTROYS Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith's ENTANGLEMENT in Live Netflix Selective Outrage - Popcorned Planet