Veteran Hollywood actor Denzel Washington shared his ideas on Will Smith and Chris Rock’s slap gate controversy that unfolded on the 94th Academy Awards. The 67-year-old actor was attending creator and Bishop T.D. Jakes’ management summit on Saturday morning when he shared his opinion on actor Will slapping the comic on the Oscars. Washington was attending the occasion the place he mentioned his profession and religion when Jakes requested him about what occurred between Smith and Rock.

According to Variety, the actor and producer stated, “Well, 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.’” The actor added, “Conversely, when the devil comes at you, maybe it’s because he’s trying to do something right. And for whatever reason the devil got a hold of that circumstance that night.”

Elaborating on what transpired on the award present final week, Washington stated, “Fortunately there were people there. Not just me, but others. Tyler Perry came immediately right over there with me. Said some prayers. I don’t want to say what we talked about, 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, the way I see it.”