Chris Rock and Will Smith have been involved in a painful altercation during the 2022 Oscar telecast. Rock appeared on stage to present the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and made an unfortunate joke about Jada Pinkett Smith being in ‘Lieutenant O’Neil’ because of her shaved head. Smith went on stage and slapped Rock.
Chris Rock reacts after being hit by Will Smith (R) as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Although it seemed like a joke at first, Smith returned to his seat and shouted at Rock, «Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!» visibly angry and beside himself. Many in the audience seemed stunned by the altercation, unsure if it was a joke. Diddy was the next presenter during the ceremony, where he appeared to introduce the 50th anniversary celebration of ‘The Godfather’. Diddy addressed the situation, saying, «Will and Chris, we’re going to work that out as a family. Right now we’re moving forward with love.»
▶️ «Esta fue una gran noche en la historia de la televisión»
Así fue el golpe que Will Smith le dio a Chris Rock por hacer un chiste sobre Jada, su esposa, en los #Oscars https://t.co/Bou4Jx5ZiL pic.twitter.com/ioMAhe6LPr
— Milenio (@Milenio) March 28, 2022
The video with sound of the incident is particularly unpleasant, as the American ABC broadcast cut the sound at the moment of the slap. Will Smith’s publicist, Meredith O. Sullivan, approached him during the commercial break to have a conversation. Also during the commercial break, Will Smith is pulled aside and comforted by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry, who tell him to ignore it. Will appears to wipe tears from his eyes as he returns to sit with Jada, with Denzel comforting Jada and Will’s manager at his side.
Pinkett Smith announced last year that she had to shave her head after battling alopecia. The actress said in an Instagram post:
«Now, at this point, I can only laugh… everyone knows I’ve been battling alopecia. All of a sudden, one day… it just popped up like this. Now, this is going to be a little harder for me to hide. So, I thought I’d share it so you don’t ask questions…. Mom will have to take it to her scalp so no one thinks she had brain surgery or something. This alopecia and I are going to be friends…period!».
But perhaps the most awkward moment of the night came later, when the performer was to pick up the award for Best Actor for playing Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, in ‘The Williams Method’ (King Richard). He was there for that and the whole ceremony was completely derailed by what happened beforehand, so that when he went to collect the statuette with tears in his eyes, but not of emotion, after receiving an ovation, using his speech to apologize visibly affected, in an uncomfortable and strange atmosphere he was able to get out of the incident halfway.
The incident has created outrage in networks, and many have ventured to opine that Smith should have been expelled from the gala, even that he should be stripped of the Oscar. The actor’s full acceptance speech was full of allusions to what had just happened and apologies to the Academy and nominees, but failed to mention the assaulted, Chris Rock. You can read it below:
«Richard Williams was a fierce advocate for his family. At this point in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and be in this world. In making this film, I had to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the strongest and most delicate people I have ever met. I have to protect Sinai and Demi, the two actresses who play Venus and Serena. I’m being called upon in my life to love people. And protect people and be a river for my people.
I know, to do what we do, we have to be able to take the abuse. You have to be able to make people talk about you insanely. In this business you have to be able to have people disrespect you and you have to smile and pretend that’s okay. Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.’ I want to be a vessel for love. I mean, thanks to Venus and Serena and the whole Williams family for trusting me with their story.
I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care. 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 about winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me, it’s about being able to shine a lot of light on all the people…and the whole cast and crew of ‘King Richard’ and Venus and Serena and the whole Williams family. Art imitates life – I look like the crazy dad, as they said about Richard Williams! But, love will make you do crazy things.»
I hope the Academy invites me back!»
It seems that the history between Chris Rock and Will Smith goes back a long way, specifically at the 2016 Oscars, when Rock made some jokes with Jada because she was boycotting the Oscars on behalf of Will, who was one of the main supporters of the hagstag #Oscarsowhite, a protest that changed the history of the ceremonies.
«Jada says she’s not coming – is she on some TV show? Is she going to boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited That’s not an invitation I would turn down, but I get it, I’m not hating.»
CREDITS
by: Jorge loser
from: SPINOF
