Social media is going berserk over an unexpected event at Sunday’s Academy Awards presentation in Los Angeles — when actor Will Smith took the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock.
Entertainment
Rock was serving as an Oscar host and made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith and her bald head, in a loose (but failed) attempt to connect her shaved head to her appearance in the film GI JANE.
“Jada, I love ya. GI JANE 2 — can’t wait to see it,” Rock quipped. Although Will Smith initially laughed at the joke (albeit uncomfortably), his wife Jada was visibly unamused on camera. Jada Pinkett Smith has been publicly suffering from alopecia and struggling with hair loss due to her medical condition. So, it’s understandable why the Smiths did not appreciate being the butt of a joke on live television regarding her health situation.
“That [joke] was a nice one,” Rock attempted to explain regarding his choice of fun as the audience responded with uncomfortable laughter. However, the camera then panned to Will Smith taking the stage and walking toward Rock, with the host laughing and assuming that Will would somehow spontaneously join in on the fun.
He was sorely mistaken.
In what has since been confirmed as neither a stunt nor an intended skit for TV, Will Smith approached Chris Rock and slapped him across the face with an open hand. The actor then walked calmly back to his seat as the audience gasped in shock.
Caught totally off guard, Chris Rock attempted to remain in host mode and laugh off the moment as if it were all in fun.
“OH WOW!” Chris Rock exclaimed. “Will Smith just smacked the sh*t out of me.”
However, Smith was fuming with anger.
“Keep my wife’s name out ya mother-f*ckin’ mouth,” the actor shouted at Rock from his seat. When the host attempted to explain the fun behind his pun, Smith reprised his response.
“Keep my wife’s name out your f*ckin’ mouth,” the actor reiterated.
After a few uncomfortable moments, Chris Rock attempted to regain control of the situation.
“That was, uh…, the greatest night in the history of television,” Rock said while clearly visibly stunned.
Immediately following, rapper/music mogul Diddy took the stage for the next presentation and attempted to smooth things over.
“Will and Chris, we’re going to solve this like family. Right now we’re moving on with love. Everybody make some noise,” Diddy urged the crowd.
During the next several commercial breaks, Smith’s publicist was seen having discussions with him. Additionally, fellow Acadamy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington approached Smith to speak with him privately. Smith later revealed that Washington said to him, “At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.”
Will Smith later went on to win Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the film “King Richard.” Regrettably, his award could be in jeopardy due to the Academy’s code of conduct.
Social media has since gone into overdrive, calling for Will Smith to be “canceled” for daring to be human and have an emotional outburst on live television. Additionally, some African-Americans have surmised that the Academy Awards will go back to being “white” next year following the melee’ involving 2 Black men.
“I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people. Tim and Trevor and Zack and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of ‘KING RICHARD,’ Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family.”
– Will Smith
Will Smith has since apologized for the incident and Chris Rock and the Academy are said to have accepted the apology. Still, that is not good enough for some couch jurists judging from home — some of whom want Smith punished beyond recognition, or even placed in jail.
Did Will Smith prove that he is not perfect but is a human with emotions (just like everyone else) when he overreacted to a supposed joke regarding his wife’s health that was clearly in poor taste? Was his apology enough, especially if neither Chris Rock nor the Academy appears eager to press legal charges or file a lawsuit? Should Will Smith be stripped of his Oscar? Or, is the public correct to seek revenge against the actor and cancel him for letting his emotions get the best of him in that millisecond of a moment?
OK WASSUP! covers Entertainment News:
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars.
CNN: Chris Rock will not be pressing charges against Will Smith following their onstage altercation at this year’s Oscars, the Los Angeles Police Department has said. Smith appeared to strike Rock at Sunday night’s ceremony after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head as he presented the Academy Award for best documentary. When Rock quipped: “Jada I love you, ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it,” the camera cut to Pinkett Smith, who rolled her eyes. The “Red Table Talk” host has been open about her struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that leads to hair loss. Following the joke, Smith to walk onto the stage and seemingly hit Rock, before telling him to “leave my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth”. “The Pursuit of Happyness” star appeared remorseful when he returned to the stage shortly after, to accept the Oscar for… Read more »