Oscars 2022: How Will Smith, Chris Rock Saga Shocks Hollywood

Oscars 2022: How Will Smith, Chris Rock Saga Shocks Hollywood

An ugly incident which took place at Oscars in Los Angeles which saw actor, Will Smith walked on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock after he cracked a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, has continued to generate ripples.  

International celebrities have waded into the matter and reacted with shock and disbelief while others praised Smith for his action.

The altercation, which played out on live television in front a gobsmacked audience of fellow actors at the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday night, came after Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, likening her to the movie character GI Jane.

Pinkett Smith, who has been married to Will Smith since 1997, has spoken publicly about her struggles with alopecia, a medical condition that resulted in hair loss, and her decision to shave her head.

After the attack, Smith, who went on to win the best actor award for his performance in King Richard, in which he played the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, returned to his seat, yelling at Rock, “Take my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth”.

“Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s*** outta me,” said a stunned Rock, who took a moment to collect himself before resuming presenting the nominees for best documentary feature.

Rock declined to press charges, according to US media. Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs later told the New York Post that the duo had squashed the bad blood, saying, “That’s over. I can confirm that”.

During his acceptance speech, Smith apologised to the Academy and his “fellow nominees”, but did not reference Rock directly. Instead, he likened himself to the character he portrayed in the film.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said. “In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world.”

“Art imitates life,” he added. “I looked like the crazy father, just like they said. But love will make you do crazy things.”

Both have gone online to apologise publicly.