Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock at Oscars Over Joke About Jada Pinkett Smith
Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith starring in "G.I. Jane 2," apparently because her head is shaved
Rock joked about Pinkett Smith starring in "G.I. Jane 2," apparently because her head is shaved. She did not laugh at the joke.
Smith could then be seen walking to the stage, where he appeared to slap Rock with an open hand.
Pinkett Smith last year publicly shared that she has alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that leads to hair loss. "G.I. Jane" was a 1997 movie starring Demi Moore as a woman who joins the U.S. Navy and shaves her head soon after.
Viewers at home were confused as to whether the altercation was staged at first, although the audio was cut as Smith seemed to yell an obscenity at Rock while walking back to his seat in the audience.
Once seated he again, on camera, yelled at Rock "Keep my wife’s name out of your f—— mouth!”
Rock, for his part, seemed stunned.
"Will Smith just smacked the s— out of me," he said to the camera. He tried to tell Smith it was a joke, but Smith was not having it, and Rock moved on.
Here's the moment Chris Rock made a "G.I. Jane 2" joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, prompting Will Smith to punch him and yell, "Leave my wife’s name out of your f--king mouth." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/kHTZXI6kuL
— Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
Los Angeles police said late Sunday that they were aware of the incident involving "one individual slapping another," but the "individual involved" — presumably Rock — decided not 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,” the LAPD said in its statement.
Senior LAPD officials told NBC News that such an action could be considered misdemeanor battery, but a victim must press charges first for a case to move forward.
The academy posted a brief statement on Twitter after the ceremony saying it "does not condone violence of any form." It did not mention any specifics around the incident.
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
Diddy, the next presenter up after Rock, attempted to redirect the ceremony from the altercation, which left the audience stunned.
“Will and Chris, we’re going to solve that like family. Right now we’re moving on with love. Everybody make some nose," he said before beginning his presentation.
