Will Smith stormed the Oscars stage and slapped Chris Rock during the live Academy Awards ceremony after the comedian made a joke about his wife, poking fun at her shaved head due to hair loss from the condition alopecia.
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock during Oscars broadcast
Will Smith appeared to take offense to a joke Chris Rock made at the Oscars, slapping the comedian on stage during the live broadcast of the Academy Awards ceremony.
“Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, I can’t wait to see it. A’ight? ” Rock said.
The comedian’s comments were an apparent reference to Jada’s shaved hairdo, which resulted from the hair loss condition alopecia, the BBC reported.
Will Smith laughed, open-mouthed at the joke, but Jada wasn’t and had a look of concern on her face. This changed Smith’s mind about the joke.
For reference, G.I. Jane was a movie starring Demi Moore where she had to shave her head like a US Marine recruit for the role. Jada has shared videos online with her head completely bald from alopecia in the past.
“That was a nice one,” Rock said, trying to smooth the jab over.
“Oh, oh,” Rock said, seeing Smith getting out of his seat and storming toward him. Rock is laughing right up to the moment Smith slaps him across the face, the thud sounding in the microphone, as captured in this video, by the Guardian.
Video shows the audience still unsure if the slap was staged, part of the show, as Smith’s swing did have an “actor slap” appearance to it.
“Will Smith just smacked… me,” Rock said.
Smith returned to his seat.
“Keep my wife’s name out your… mouth,” Smith yells from his seat at Rock, still talking on stage.
The audience then realizes it was no planned bit.
“Wow, dude,” Rock says.
“Yes,” Smith says.
“It was a G.I. Jane joke,” Rock says.
“I’m going to, okay,” Rock replies. Rock then shakes his head. “That was the greatest night in the history of television.”
Rock then looks backstage, apparently wondering if he should continue or whether the producers want to take a break.
Denzel Washington offers advice to Smith during commercial break
The Daily Mail reported that Tyler Perry and two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington could be seen consoling Smith during the commercial break. Actor Bradley Cooper also consoled Smith.
Smith apologizes to Academy
During his acceptance speech, Smith revealed that Washington told him: “Be careful at your highest moment – that’s when the devil comes for you.”
Smith began his speech by comparing how his role as King Richard was about a “protector of his family,” the Express reported. Smith then apologized. “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees.”
However, Smith did not apologize to Chris Rock.
“I hope the Academy invites me back,” Smith added
“I know to do what we do [as actors], you gotta be able to take abuse,” Smith said. “You gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you.”
“You gotta be able to have people disrespecting you,” Smith continued. “And you gotta smile and pretend that’s okay.”
