Was there a joke told in poor taste? Probably. Could have this been handled way better by Will Smith? Oh yeah, at the end of the day two wrongs do not make a right.
Will Smith shocked the Dolby Theater Sunday night at the Oscars as fellow comedian Chris Rock introduced the Academy Award nominees for Best Documentary. Rock eventually makes a reference to Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head, stating he couldn’t wait to see her in a fictional film, “GI Jane 2” which is a reference to the 1997 movie G.I. Jane, starring Demi Moore who had a shaved head while undergoing gruelling military training.
Will then left his seat next to his wife, purposefully strolled up to Chris before slapping him in the face. Will then walked back to his seat, where a camera caught video of him yelling a message back to Chris: “Keep my wife’s name out your f––king mouth.”
Jada has previously spoken publicly about battling a medical condition that causes hair loss.
That escalated quickly. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/rSj874rZhj
— E! News (@enews) March 28, 2022
what just happened with chris rock and will smith #Oscars2022 pic.twitter.com/knL03tAevN
— Ashley Brewer (@heyashtweeted) March 28, 2022
Several celebrities came to Will Smith’s side after the stunning moment, Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry, Bradley Cooper and others were spotted coming to Will’s side as the actor wiped away tears. During his acceptance speech for Best Actor, Will offered an emotional apology (kind but not really some would argue) and a slight insight into what led up to the slap. Will said Washington advised him during their sidebar conversation.
“At your highest moment, be careful that’s when the devil comes for you,”
"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family…"
Will Smith accepts @TheAcademy Award for Best Actor in @KingRichardFilm.#Oscarshttps://t.co/EViXaQY1NZ pic.twitter.com/Od1w6n3t9B
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 28, 2022
During the commercial break, Will Smith is pulled aside and comforted by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry, who motion for him to brush it off. Will appears to wipe tears from his eyes as he sits back down with Jada, with Denzel comforting Jada and Will’s rep by his side. pic.twitter.com/uDGVnWrSS2
— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) March 28, 2022
WARNING: Offensive language in the tweet below that actually made it to live T.V in some countries.
Sean Combs addresses that wild Will Smith and Chris Rock moment at the #Oscars: "Will and Chris, we're gonna solve that like family at the Gold Party." pic.twitter.com/5r6WHHBdeE
— Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
UNCENSORED WILL SMITH FOOTAGE AS SHOWN ON AUSTRALIAN TV pic.twitter.com/NcRfdjWxqe
— David Mack (@davidmackau) March 28, 2022
Celebs React To Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock During 2022 Oscars
Just saw the Will Smith slap. Anyone have a late night show I can borrow just for tomorrow?
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 28, 2022
Regardless of what we think of the joke & all people involved, Chris Rock was assaulted at his job for doing his job. The academy failed to protect him. Will Smith (laughing 1st) was allowed to stay, they gave his ass an Oscar, laughed & celebrated him. Hollywood is full of shit
— Ryan Sickler (@ryansickler) March 28, 2022
My point isn't that Will Smith should go to prison. My point is that saying "he just slapped him because he was mean to his wife" is a bullshit argument that none of you would have accepted if the situation involved you somehow. You don't hit someone for speaking words. Period.
— Noam Blum (@neontaster) March 28, 2022
Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) March 28, 2022
