Explaining Will Smith and Chris Rock's Oscars Fight
Even if you did not watch all three hours and 29 minutes of the 2022 Oscars, you surely saw Will Smith slap Chris Rock on stage.
Just when viewers were about to turn off their TVs and head to bed, 2022 Academy Awards turned out to be, as Chris Rock said, "the greatest night in the history of television." While on stage to present the award for Best Documentary Film, Rock pointed out Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, saying, "Jada I love you. 'G.I. Jane 2', can't wait to see it."
This was not the first time that Rock has used the Smith family as the butt of his jokes, however, this year, the Smith family was not amused. While many in the room laughed off the joke, viewers at home were confused as the audio went silent before Smith rushed onto the stage to slap Rock across in the face.
The comedian remained on stage in a state of shock while Smith trotted back to his seat yelling, "Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth!" Following the incident, social media users noted that Pinkett-Smith suffers from alopecia—an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss—and that this was not Rock's first time punching down at the actress.
Back in 2016 when Rock hosted the Oscars, many were boycotting the ceremony in protest of the lack of diversity in those nominated, Smith and Pinkett Smith included. During his opening monologue, Rock joked, "Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties, I wasn't invited."
Later in the show, Smith won the award for Best Actor for his performance as Richard Williams in 'King Richard'. During his teary-eyed acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy for his behaviour. "Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. 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," Smith said, explaining that, like Williams, he "protects" his loved ones.
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When both Smith and Pinkett-Smith were asked about the situation following the show, the pair did not seem bothered. Rock has made it known that he's not planning on pressing charges, but some are wondering if Smith's award is in jeopardy as technically he violated the Academy's code of conduct. The organization released a statement on Twitter saying that it "does not condone violence of any form."
