In the most shocking moment at last night's Oscars, actor Will Smith marched up on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock, after he made a joke about Jade Pinkett-Smith's hair.
Rock was presenting the award for Best Documentarywhen he joked that Jada was starring in 'G.I. Jane 2' in reference to her shaved head. For context, last year, Jada publicly shared that she suffered from alopecia, an auto-immune disorder that causes hair loss. Jada didn't laugh at Rock's comment, but her husband took offence and walked up on stage, hitting Rock across the face with an open hand.
When he returned to his seat Will shouted, 'Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!'
Will Smith's Oscar winner's speech
The violent outburst was all the more uncomfortable when Will Smith was later announced as thewinner of the Best Actor award for his performance in King Richard. In an emotional acceptance speech he referenced the slap, apologising to The Academy and his fellow nominees (but notably, not Chris Rock) and defending his actions saying: 'Love will make you do crazy things'. Here is his speech...
While Bradley Cooper comforted a tearful Will as he came off stage, social media was ablaze. While some thought that Smith should have been removed from the awards because of his actions, others were critical of his comments saying violence is never 'proof of love'. Others defended Smith for standing up for his wife.
The debacle follows previous beef between Chris Rock, Will and Jada. When Rock hosted the Oscars in 2016, he made another dig at Jada, who had chosen not to attend that year: 'Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited.'
Celebrities have been reacting to Smith's actions at last night's Oscars, too. Actress Jodie Turner-Smith tweeted: 'and as far as that incident goes….. i am still processing. i have second hand embarrassment for all involved'. Meanwhile, Chris Rock's ex, actress Katie Holmes, posted on Instagram in support of the comedian, with the caption 'Everybody Loves Chris' (a play on the name of Rock's sitcom Everybody Hates Chris).
In response to the incident, the Academy said in a statement: 'The Academy does not condone violence of any form.' In a statement to Variety after the Oscars broadcast, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Rock had declined to file a police report.
Will Smith's apology to Chris Rock
After the Oscars, video's emerged of Will Smith unbothered and celebrating his win at the Vanity Fair After Party. Will did apologise to the Academy for the incident during his Best Actor acceptance speech, which notably didn’t include an apology to the comedian. Will took to Instagram with a stronger statement.
'Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,' he wrote. 'My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.'
He went on to personally apologise to Chris. 'I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.'
He also apologised to the film academy, producers of the telecast, attendees, viewers and the Williams family. 'I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress,' added Smith.
Jada has responded - sort of - to the debacle with a philosophical Insta-quote, saying: 'This is a season for healing and I am here for it'. There was no further caption on the post.
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