2022 Oscars came with its unexpected drama after popular actor Will Smith climbed the stage to dish out a resounding slap to comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Chris Rock’s joke about Jada Smith referred to 1997 film GI Jane, in which Demi Moore played the title role with a severe buzzcut.
The Spiral actor had said :”Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2″.
Referencing to her shaved hairdo – which is a result of the hair loss condition alopecia.
Jada had in an interview in 2018 revealed that she was suffering from hair loss which has affected her mentally and resulted in her constantly shaving her hair.
Angered by the joke about his wife’s looks, Smith walked on stage and struck Rock before returning to his seat and shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.”
Chris Rock, who was stunned by the slap, tried explaining to Will that it was just a joke.
He later told the audience: “That was the greatest night in the history of television.”
Speaking while receiving his Best Actor award for his role in ‘King Richard’, Smith apologized for his behaviour.
“I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to my all my fellow nominees,” he said in tears.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
It was gathered that Will Smith had to be consoled during an advert break my Denzel Washington and Teyler Perry, with Sean Diddy Combs later saying on stage that the issue would be resolved as a family.
According to Variety, the Los Angeles Police Department later disclosed that Rock had “declined to file a police report” following the event.
While in post on Twitter, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, said that it “does not condone violence of any form.”