Will Smith Slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars; See the Latest Reactions


Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 94th annual Academy Awards after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rock joked about Jada doing a sequel to the 1997 film G.I. Jane. Pinkett-Smith has been open about her struggle with alopecia. 

As a result of the joke, Smith walked up to the stage and slapped Rock. A stunned Rock said, “Will Smith just smacked the sh*t out of me.” Smith replied,  “Keep my wife’s name out your fu**in’ mouth!” Rock responded, “Wow, dude. It was a G.I. Jane joke.” Smith responded, “Keep my wife’s name out your fu**in’ mouth.”

Smith later went on to win his first Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard. In his acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy, and to his fellow nominees, but not to Chris Rock.

“Art imitates life, I look like the crazy father . . . just like they said about Richard Williams,” he told the audience. “But love will make you do crazy things.”  And he finished with, quote, “I hope the Academy invites me back.  Thank you.”

Smith also revealed during his best actor speech that Denzel Washington said to him moments before, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”

The Academy later released a statement on the incident, saying, “The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”

Celebrities took to social media to react to the incident. Smith’s son Jaden responded to the moment, saying, “And That’s How We Do It.” 

Maria Shriver wrote, “We should never get to a place where we sit and watch a movie star hit someone on global television then, moments later, get a standing ovation while talking about love. #WillSmith #Oscars.”

Trevor Noah tweeted, “Wtaf????? That wasn’t scripted?????” Natasha Rothwell wrote,  “Never thought the La La land debacle would ever be eclipsed but here we are.

and Cardi B shared a reference to Denzel Washington’s advice.

Hours before the incident, Smith shared a video on social media saying, “Me ‘n @jadapinkettsmith got all dressed up to choose chaos”

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Meanwhile, according to The LAPD, Chris Rock has “declined to file a police report” for the incident.

According to Variety, the LAPD said in a statement, “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Watch the uncensored moment below.  NSFW language:

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency

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