The 2022 Oscar moment that nobody saw coming had nothing to do with a best dressed list,
nomination snubs, or the rushed ceremony.
What was up with Will Smith's shocking reaction to a Chris Rock joke? Keep watching to find out.
Chris Rock took the stage to introduce the nominees for Best Documentary Feature
and crack some jokes about the celebs in the crowd. He talked about spouses Penélope Cruz
and Javier Bardem's awkward dual nominations, saying that it would be less awkward for Bardem
at home if Will Smith took home the award for his performance in "King Richard."
"Junior won, the other girl lost,
everybody did they best. I'm not gonna here no more about it now."
Chris Rock then turned his attention to the Smith family, which took the night
to a whole new level of tension. Rock said to Will Smith's wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith,
"'G.I. Jane 2,' can't wait to see it," referencing Demi Moore's look in the 1997 film,
and comparing it to Jada's shaved head. While the audience reaction was divided,
the comedian defended his joke, saying, "That was a nice one!"
However, what happened next made it clear that his joke didn't sit well with the Smiths.
Jada has been open about her hair loss since 2018,
and even posted a video to Instagram in December 2021 with the caption,
"Mama's gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery
or something ... Me and this alopecia are going to be friends ... period!"
"Just all of a sudden, one day — look at this line right here."
After Rock's joke, Smith got up from his seat and began walking toward the comedian,
who jokingly called Smith "Richard." Then, in what at first seemed like a planned moment,
Smith slapped Rock across the face. Thanks to a live delay, what happened next was muted in
the broadcast, but an uncensored version of the exchange quickly found its way online.
Rock responded to the slap by saying, "Will Smith just smacked the s--t out me."
Smith responded by shouting, "Keep my wife's name out of your f---ing mouth," not once, but twice.
A clearly flustered Rock said that he would, then joked that this was "the greatest night
in the history of television," before awkwardly moving on to the Best Documentary nominees.
Smith later apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees during his best actor
acceptance speech. Smith won for his portrayal of Richard Williams,
father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams. Through tears, the actor acknowledged
he'd behaved like Williams by lashing out while trying to defend his family. Smith said,
"Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father
just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things."
Early in his speech, Smith credited his co-stars for their work in the film, then added,
"I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse.
You gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. You gotta be able to
have people disrespecting you and you gotta smile and pretend that's okay."
He also thanked fellow Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, whom he says told him backstage,
quote, "At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”
Although social media was divided over whether
Will Smith should face legal ramifications for his conduct,
as far as the LAPD is concerned, it's "case closed." Per a statement shared with Variety,
"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."
According to insiders close to the parties involved,
Smith and Chris Rock are expected to work out their issues behind closed doors. In fact,
Page Six confirms both were expected to attend the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party,
where they would inevitably interact. Almost immediately after the incident occurred, security
was reportedly working hard behind the scenes to make sure the situation didn't escalate further.
Sean "Diddy" Combs encouraged the two long-time friends to work things out when he took the stage
during the broadcast, tasked with combating the frosty atmosphere in the room. Combs suggested,
quote, "moving on with love," then Smith himself could be seen in the crowd, smiling in response.
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus,
even more List videos about your favorite stuff are coming soon.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss a single one.