Welp, it looks like Will Smith just slapped Chris Rock in the face in defense of his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, at the 2022 Oscars.
During Sunday's 94th Academy Awards ceremony, Chris Rock, who was announcing the winner for Best Original Documentary, made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith being in G.I. Jane because of her shaved head and green dress. Pinkett Smith is outspoken about her struggles with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder which causes bald spots and hair loss.
In an immediate response, Pinkett Smith shook her head and Will Smith laughed. But quickly after that, Smith ran on stage, hit Rock and stormed off the stage. Audio then cut on the stream, but in the uncensored exchange via Japanese television on Twitter, Rock said "oh wow, wow" after being hit.
Tweet may have been deleted
"Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me," Rock said.
"Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth," Smith yelled.
"Wow, dude," Rock said.
"Yes," Smith responded.
"It was a G.I. Jane joke," Rock said.
"Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth," Smith repeated.
"I'm going to, OK?" Rock said. "That was the greatest night in the history of television."
Tweet may have been deleted
Then, Rock went on to announce that Questlove won the Oscar for Best Original Documentary.
According to Variety, Smith’s publicist walked over to Smith during the commercial break and the two had "a discussion." Also during commercial break, Denzel Washington pulled Smith aside to talk to him. During Smith's acceptance speech for winning the Oscar for his performance as Richard Williams in King Richard, Smith said Washington told him, "At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you."
Smith also said Williams was "a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world." He also apologized to the Academy and to his fellow nominees, but not to Chris Rock.
More Oscars: See your favs on the red carpet at the 2022 Academy Awards
Tweet may have been deleted
"Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father," Smith says, adding. "Love will make you do crazy things."
At the end of his speech, he said: "Thank you. I hope the Academy invites me back."
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
This is the second time Rock has made a joke at Pinkett Smith's expense — the first being when he hosted the show in 2016 and mocked Pinkett Smith's choice not to attend the show.
"Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited," he said. In response, at the time, she said: "It comes with the territory, sweetheart."
As many online pointed out, though, if real violence broke out, why weren't any security actions taken?
Tweet may have been deleted
UPDATE: Mar. 29, 2022, 11:32 a.m. Will Smith has now publicly apologized to Chris Rock in an Instagram post.
"I was out of line and I was wrong," wrote Smith.
Topics Oscars
