Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars award show after he made a joke about Jada Smith’s alopecia areata.
This year’s Oscars event was not one to miss. From Amy Schumer pushing Kirsten Dunst out of her seat to Beyoncé’s amazing performance.
One extremely notable moment was Will Smith hitting Chris Rock and cursing him out afterward.
Rock made an extremely insensitive joke toward Smith’s wife, Jada Smith. “Jada, I love you. I can’t wait for G.I. Jane 2,” Rock said.
This was a reference to the movie character G.I. Jane being bald and Jada’s alopecia. Smith is first seen laughing at the joke, but after seeing his wife’s discomfort he walks onstage and slaps Rock.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth,” Smith said. The venue fell in silence which was shortly followed by a shy laugh from Rock.
The event gained the Oscars thousands of online views which led many to think the altercation was planned. The Oscars official Twitter denied the altercation was fake tweeting that they do not condone violence.
The Oscars even released a statement claiming they might take away the award Smith won that day.
This led many comedians to get online and defend Rock while shaming Smith.
“He could have killed him. That’s pure out-of-control rage and violence” comedian, Judd Apatow said.
However, when asked by the Oscars security, Rock decided not to press charges against Smith.
The following day Smith posted an apology on Instagram. He apologized to the Oscars and Rock for his actions as he also claimed violence is never the answer.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Smith said.