Denzel Washington Explains His “Devil” Quote After Witnessing Will Smith Slap Chris Rock

Denzel Washington recently explained his “devil” comment following the Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars altercation.

The legendary actor talked to Smith shortly after Smith walked on stage and slapped Rock for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

He explained what he meant Saturday when he told Smith, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.” It was during a leadership summit with author and pastor T.D. Jakes, in which he had been invited to speak about his own faith.

Evidently, the Oscars was brought up, with Jakes saying it was like Denzel had waded into WWII, and Denzel responding with it was totally necessary.

Denzel said, “There’s a saying: When the devil ignores you, then you know you’re doing something wrong. The devil goes, ‘Oh, no, leave him alone. He’s my favorite.'”

“Conversely, when the devil comes at you, maybe it’s because you’re trying to do something right. And for whatever reason, the devil got ahold of him that night.” Denzel also explained that others quickly stepped in and attended to Will as well. He felt Smith needed spiritual counseling,

  Tyler Perry was also seen coming in to pray with the two.

Denzel wouldn’t say what exactly was said among him, Perry, and Smith, but he did say , “There but for the grace of God, go any of us. Who are we to condemn? I don’t know all the ins and outs of the situation, but I know the only solution was prayer.”

He also discussed why he wouldn’t stay out of the situation. “I couldn’t have sat in my seat. No way I could have sat in my seat. That’s just not who I am.” This was obvious because Denzel was photographed getting in between Chris and Will in the immediate aftermath, TMZ reported.