The 2022 Academy Awards ceremony turned out to be very memorable, but not for reasons we would have thought. Hollywood’s biggest night took an unexpected turn when Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face after telling a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
While presenting the award for Best Documentary, Chris Rock joked, “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2 can’t wait to see it.” Comparing the Red Table Talk host’s buzzcut to that of Demi Moore’s shaved head in the 1997 Navy SEAL film, Pinkett Smith reacted by rolling her eyes while seated in the audience.
Pinkett Smith has been vocal about experiencing alopecia, an autoimmune deficiency that results in rapid hair loss. The jab incited the altercation with the King Richard star (who later was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor). After taking to the stage to smack Rock, Smith swiftly walked back to his seat, continuing to yell at the Fargo actor, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*****g mouth.”
While apologizing to the Academy and his fellow nominees in his acceptance speech, Smith left out any remorse directed to Rock specifically. Since then, Rock has declined to press charges against the former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star. While rumors continue to swirl about the possibility of Smith’s Oscar being revoked by the Academy, the actor has yet to speak with the press. Smith is set to reportedly break his silence on the altercation on his wife’s Facebook talk show, Red Table Talk as early as this week.
Unsurprisingly, the moment is all anyone is talking about today — including fellow celebs. While some are praising Smith’s actions for coming to his wife’s defense, others are condemning his violent behavior, and noting the attention taken away from Questlove, who won the Academy Award for Best Documentary for his film Summer of Soul immediately after the smack.
During the show, Amy Schumer (who co-hosted alongside Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall) reentered the stage saying, “I’ve been getting out of that Spider-Man costume. Did I miss anything? There’s, like, a different vibe in here.”
Of course, memes have been circulating on social media all day Monday, including Lupita Nyong’o’s reaction to the encounter while seated behind Smith and a shocked photo of Nicole Kidman (above). However, the photographer clarified on Monday that Kidman’s photo was actually snapped at a different time during the ceremony.
Later Monday night, Smith took to Instagram to acknowledge his behavior and publicly apologize to Rock. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” he wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.”
And on Tuesday, Pinkett Smith shared a post on Instagram that read, “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it.”
Read on for celebrity responses following Sunday night’s smack.
The Academy
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
Jaden Smith
And That’s How We Do It
— Jaden (@jaden) March 28, 2022
Kathy Griffin
Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian.
Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 28, 2022
Nicki Minaj
I love Chris Rock. I don’t think he would’ve made that joke had he known what Jada recently shared- but between him & the whole team @ the #Oscars you mean to tell me not ONE of y’all heard this woman just share this heartbreaking story? #ComeOnSon … (continue to next tweet)
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) March 28, 2022
Conan O’Brien
Just saw the Will Smith slap. Anyone have a late night show I can borrow just for tomorrow?
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 28, 2022
Sophia Bush
Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) March 28, 2022
Trevor Noah
Wtaf????? That wasn’t scripted????? 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 28, 2022
Jimmy Kimmel
I know the big story is the slap, but congratulations to @amyschumer @iamwandasykes & Regina Hall who were very funny – I hope that isn't overshadowed by the unpleasantness #Oscars
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 28, 2022
Cardi B
At your highest moment …be careful that’s when the devil tries to come for you 🙌🏽
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) March 28, 2022
Billy Eichner
I’m getting under my couch.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) March 28, 2022
Cher
WENT OUT OF RM
& MISSED REASON FOR
WILL’S PUNCH..JUST SAW IT, BUT STILL NOT SURE
WHY.— Cher (@cher) March 28, 2022