Will Smith is a famous American film producer, actor, and rapper and Chris Rock is a famous American supporting actor, writer, producer, director, and stand-up comedian. They both are amazing in their professions and they recently met at Oscar 2022 event. Unfortunately, that meeting was unpleasant. Oscar is considered the most prestigious award ceremony in the entertainment industry. Will Smith was attending the event as a nominee for his role in “King Richard”, while Chris Rock was hosting it. Something very unexpected happened between both of them, which left all the Oscar authorities and audiences in great shock.
Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock
During the event, Chris Rock was perfectly hosting the show while trying to make people laugh. Chris Rock cracked a joke on Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith: for her shaved haircut. Jada Smith has been suffering from Alopecia- a serious hair-falling disease, since 2008, and she openly declared this to the media in 2018. His joke offended both Will Smith and his wife Jada, Jada rolled her eyes at Chris’ comment, while, out of anger Will Smith got up from his chair, walked straight to the stage, slapped hard on Chris Rock’s face, and warned him not to speak ill about his wife. This incident left the audience traumatized. Well, Chirs Rock was professional enough to handle the situation and kept the show going on.
Celebrities’ and Other Authorities’ Reactions to the incident
There are mixed reviews from the celebrities about the event. A few really appreciated Smith’s reaction to safeguarding his wife. One of them was Tiffany Haddish, who applauded Chris Rock for protecting his wife because this is what a real man should do for his wife’s security. While many others criticized him for being violent and aggressive at the event which harmed the serenity of the show, many other white celebrities stereotyped black men as being hot-headed, brutal, and harsh. Many celebrities have just not stopped criticizing Smith – they even criticized the Oscars’ authority for later giving Will Smith his respective award. However, Chris Rock has not yet taken any legal action against Smith.
Oscar authorities told media that they asked Smith to leave the event after his harsh act but he denied it. They further informed that the disciplinary proceedings have already started against Will Smith for damaging the integrity of the show. The authority considers his act completely threatening, abusive, and inappropriate, and as the result, Will Smith has to face serious consequences in the future, which might include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions.
Alopecia UK also gave its statement to the media. They condemned Chris Rock’s joke and did not support Will Smith. They claimed it was inappropriate but simultaneously they called Chris’ joke unacceptable. In the statement, they said we are living in a world where discriminating or making fun of people on the bases of sexuality, disabilities, and skin color is highly discouraged, and the jokes about different physical appearances should also be discouraged.
At the End Will Smith Apologized
Will Smith soon after receiving the award for his role in King Richard, apologized to the authorities and the audience. He confessed that his act was impulsive and violent, but tried to sugar it. He said his role as King Richard in the movie was all about protecting his family. He is still under his character spell, and out of his love for his wife, he made the mistake. He claimed his actions to be completely impulsive, which he did out of his possessiveness of his wife’s feelings. He also advises others to keep calm during their high moments because then the devil comes out which enables the person to do a wrong act, as what happened to him.
However, during Smith’s apology during the event he forget to mention Chris Rock’s name, therefore, he made a public apology to Chris Rock via Instagram. He mentioned in the post that he reacted out of emotions for his wife’s medical suffering but also condemn his behavior as inexcusable and portrayed his embarrassment during the post, by claiming the world is a place for love and kindness where there is no toleration for the aggression. He again apologized to the Oscar authority and the audience in his post.
