The Oscars 2022 Will Go Down In History Thanks To Chris Rock and Will Smith

Source: Hindustan Times

Pinkett Smith has been open about her alopecia condition and had recently shaved her head to fully embrace her hair loss.

Rock took the stage at the Academy Awards to present the prize for best documentary. He began by making jokes about members of the audience, including Pinkett Smith, whom he referred to as "G.I. Jane" because of her bald head. Smith rushed to the stage shortly after Rock's joke and slapped the comedian across the face. "Keep my wife's name out of your f****ng mouth," he said as he returned to his seat.

At first, most people could not decide if the assault was fake or real. However, as Smith slapped Rock, the show's audio dropped out instantly, then remained muted as Rock stated, "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me," as Smith walked away. Rock, who was still on stage as Smith yelled from his seat, appeared stunned.

"Wow, dude," Rock responded. "It was a G.I. Jane joke," says the narrator. 

After that, Rock presented Questlove, the filmmaker of Summer of Soul, with the documentary prize. Following that, Sean "Diddy" Combs took the stage to unveil a clip montage honoring The Godfather's 50th anniversary. "I didn’t know that this year was going to be the most exciting Oscars ever!" he exclaimed. "Okay, Will, Chris—we’re going to solve that like family. But right now, we’re moving on with love. " Questlove refused to answer questions regarding the altercation in the press room. Reporters in the press room were also informed they couldn't ask any more questions on the show's other aspects, presumably to prevent any further questions regarding the slap.

Source: DW

Denzel Washington drew Smith to the side for a talk following the exchange, kneeling alongside Pinkett Smith when the show returned from the commercial break. During the commercial break, Tyler Perry joined Washington and Smith. After the assault, the Smiths held hands at their seats for the rest of the show.

According to an Academy librarian, this was most certainly the first time the event has seen real fighting onstage. This was not, however, the first time Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith at the Academy Awards. During the 2016 ceremony, which Rock hosted, he made fun of Pinkett Smith for skipping the event that year. At the time, Rock added, “Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited.”

This wasn't the first time Rock and Smith had run into each other during the Oscar season. Rock was on hand to present Paul Thomas Anderson with an award at the National Board of Review dinner in mid-March. He did, however, take a moment to congratulate Smith, who was also a winner that night, on his performance in King Richard. "Goddammit, Will," Rock exclaimed, praising the actor's work.

After the event, Rock downplayed his violent altercation with Smith backstage at the Oscars. There are talks that Rock was referring to Smith's portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the Oscar-nominated documentary about the late boxer. "That's the only time Muhammad Ali hits you and you don't get a scratch," Rock allegedly claimed.

Smith was in attendance at the Academy Awards this year to accept the best-actor award for his role in King Richard. The actor had been widely regarded as the front-runner for months and was crowned the winner on Sunday night, as predicted. Smith compared himself to Richard Williams, a man who is likewise renowned as "a fierce defender of his family," in his tear-filled statement.

"I know to do what we do, you’ve got to be able to take abuse," he explained. “You’ve got to be able to have people disrespecting you, and you’ve got to smile and you’ve got to pretend like that’s okay. … I look like the crazy father, just like they said.… Love will make you do crazy things.”

He apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees at the end of his speech. Smith added, "I hope the Academy invites me back."

Cohost Amy Schumer made a short remark about Rock and Smith after a commercial break. "I’ve been getting out of that Spider-Man costume."  As the audience, including Smith, chuckled, she questioned, "Did I miss anything?" “In here, there's a different vibe.”

Following a confrontation with Will Smith at the 94th Academy Awards, the Los Angeles Police Department also confirms that Chris Rock "declined to file a police report." During the 2022 Oscars, Smith stormed to the stage and slapped Rock when the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.

LAPD's official statement said: 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.

A quick Twitter search Twitter will tell you that people are calling for Will Smith to be canceled. The opinions varied from calling out Chris Rock for making an ugly joke and calling out Will Smith for assault. A few people noted that Will Smith not getting thrown out of the Oscars was peak elite privilege as well while others said that what happened was unjustified by law but understandable.

What’s your take on the whole issue? Let us know in the comments below.