The 94th annual Oscars ceremony was moving along swimmingly when comedian Chris Rock came onstage to present the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Taking the opportunity to tell a joke or two, he razzed married couple Javier Bardem and Penelope Crus (both nominated this year) then turned his attention to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
After joking that he was looking forward to seeing Jada in G.I. Jane 2, Smith, at first, gave a chuckle (Pinkett-Smith did not) but moments later, Smith marched up on stage to smack Rock out!
Everybody Hates Chris?
The scene was so shocking that the live feed was cut in the US, but both Japan and Australia, who had about a half hour lag, showed the full series of events, including Smith sitting back down and screaming at Rock “Leave my wife’s name out of your f#@cking mouth!”
Rock defended his joke saying, “It was a G.I. Jane joke, man” to which Smith repeated, “Leave my wife’s name out of your f#@cking mouth!”
What the Hell Happened at the Oscars? Chris Rock says “Will Smith Just Beat the $h!t Out of Me!”
Jada has been open about her alopecia which causes hair loss. She had said that she will be rocking a shaved head from now so as not to appear sick.
While Rock’s joke was on the insensitive side, Smith’s reaction was so out of left field (especially because he had laughed at the joke at first) that most presumed it was staged.
However, after being assaulted both physically and verbally, Rock was visibly shook, losing his place and having a hard time getting back to the task at hand- announcing the next winner.
What wasn’t shown was Daniel Kaluuya, Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry rallying around Smith, appearing to calm him down.
Later on in the show Smith, the sentimental favorite, won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard- the Venus and Serena Williams biopic.
Those still skeptical as to the legitimacy of the physical altercation began changing their tune during Smith’s tearful acceptance speech where he spoke about being a fierce defender of his family, just like his character, Richard Williams.
“I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” he said during the second part of his speech. “Art imitates life; I look like the crazy father just like they said about Richard Williams. Love will make you do crazy things …I hope the Academy invites me back.”
Neither Rock or Smith have made a statement about the altercation- but Twitter sure has!!!!
What do you think- was it real or staged? Did Will screw the pooch, now being remembered for assaulting a comedian than finally winning best actor?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below and if you haven’t seen the shocking footage- make sure you see the uncut version form Australia (yes, Smith screamed the F word twice, uncensored, when the awards were shown on daytime television!) or Japan.
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