Will Smith’s mom opens up about her son’s Oscar confrontation with Chris Rock

“I know how he works, how hard he works… I’ve waited and waited and waited. When I heard the name, I just said, ‘Yes!'” the actor’s mother said in an exclusive interview with Action News.

On Hollywood’s biggest night, she got up early and was the first to text the family’s special group chat.

“I started saying, ‘Good morning, we have to say good luck to Uncle Will,'” Carolyn Smith recalled.

But no one could have predicted how Hollywood’s biggest night would turn out.

As the Smith family gathered at their family home in suburban Philadelphia, the actor’s mother, sisters and others dressed and gathered around the television to watch their hero.

ALSO SEE: Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Beating Him at the Oscars: ‘I Was Out of Line and I Was Wrong’

But before the award came a very embarrassing and breathtaking moment when Will Smith took the stage and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian joked about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her battle with hair loss.

The famous actor, born and raised in West Philadelphia, who always seemed cool and collected, lost it.

Even Smith’s mother admits she was surprised.

“He’s a very balanced person. This is the first time I’ve seen him leave. For the first time in his life… I’ve never seen him like that,” Carolyn Smith said.

But the family say this moment doesn’t define him and that the actor puts his family first, being loving and the one who keeps the family together.

Will Smith’s younger sister, Ellen Smith, says she’s watched her brother consistently excel under pressure and in the Hollywood spotlight.

“I’ve had conversations with him and it really broke my heart to hear what he had to say to get where he is,” she said.

While the world has different opinions, there are no controversies for this family. They’re proud of the Philadelphia actor he’s become and they know he’ll make the right moves in the future

“I’m proud that he is him,” said Carolyn Smith.

Also read: Philadelphians react to Oscar confrontation: “Will Smith is not a bad person”