Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock For Jada During The Academy Awards Ceremony

If you have never taken time out to sit through any of the Academy Awards ceremonies popularly known as the Oscars, then you most likely missed the highlight of the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, which took place on Sunday, 27th of March, 2022. 

Comedian, Chris Rock, gets slapped heavily on the face after making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife. In Chris’s words, “Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you.” 

The statement was supposed to be a joke as Chris was in charge of presenting the documentary Oscar. However, what was supposed to be a witty remark was taken in bad faith by the Best Actor Nominee, Will Smith.

This is because after making the joke about Jada, Will seemed to laugh at the joke with the rest of the audience, then walked up to Chris on center stage, and punched him in the face. 

After the assault, Will calmly strolled back to his front row seat and shouted at Chris twice, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.” Although the sounds in the studio were turned off before the hit, many international viewers heard Chris’s response after the hit. He said, “Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.”

Many viewers found the entire incident ludicrous, as it not only insulted the entire Dolby Theater, but the world at large, seeing as it was a live stream. Comedians in particular didn’t find it funny as some of them tweeted about how some people might have to start looking out for such occurrences while they are trying to do their job, as a result of this incidence.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a statement that it “does not condone violence of any form” later in the night. Also, to the surprise and disappointment of many Twitter influencers who felt Will should have been arrested for his behaviour on live TV, Chris Rock refused to press any charges against the actor.

Will Smith later wins the Best Actor award for playing Richard Williams in King Richard. In his victory speech, a crying Will talks about how many people in the entertainment industry have to live with prejudices and disrespect, and how they have to take everything with smiles. 

He mentions how he wants to be a “vessel of love” and light. He also talks about how “art imitates life.” And goes even further to say that “I look like the crazy father, just like Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.” 

Smith  rounds up his speech by apologizing to the academy and to all his fellow nominees. He then ends with a subtle plea by saying he hopes “the academy invites him back.”

While Chris Rock might have only been doing his job, Will still had his reasons for doing what he did. Although violence should never be encouraged, the joke was a jab against his wife and the mother of his children. 

Jada has been dealing with alopecia since 2018, she didn’t choose to go bald. It was for health reasons, and no one can really know the emotional state the man or his family has been in for years. 

G.I Jane was a 1997 movie that was a complete failure. The movie cost $50million dollars to produce, but only sold out at $48 million dollars. They ran at a gross loss. The fact that the joke hit her as a human and as an actress would make any emotional and protective partner to act out.

What do you think about the entire incident? Was Will right to have hit a friend on live TV during one of the biggest moments in his career? Do you think this altercation will affect Will’s reputation? Was Chris Rock right to have passed on a joke like that? We look forward your responses in the comments section below.