Will Smith’s toxic justification for punching Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars
The 2022 Oscars gala has been marked by a completely unexpected event: the punch —or rather, slap— of Will Smith to Cris Rockafter he made a joke in bad taste comparing Jada Smith (his wife) with Lieutenant O’Neil because of the alopecia suffered by the American actress.
That shocking moment was not part of the performance, and the actor’s anger and words after going on stage to deal such a blow to the comedian (“get my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth”), confirmed it. An already calmer Will Smith came back on stage. This time, for accept the Oscar for best actor for his role in The Williams Method and offer a speech in which he has tried to explain the reason for that punch and in which it is possible to see a background to this event.
Will Smith, with an emotional face, began the speech honoring the tennis player Richard Williams and his co-stars. “Richard Williams, he was a staunch supporter of his family. At this stage in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is asking me to do and be in this world.” Already in tears, Will Smith spoke about his mission to protect those he loves most.
“I HAVE BEEN CALLED TO LOVE PEOPLE AND PROTECT PEOPLE, AND BE A RIVER TO MY PEOPLE. I KNOW THAT TO DO WHAT WE DO, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP WITH PEOPLE TALKING CRAZY THINGS ABOUT YOU. IN THIS WORLD, IN THIS SHOW BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO PUT UP WITH PEOPLE DISRESPECTING YOU, AND SMILE, AND PRETEND IT’S OKAY. BUT RICHARD WILLIAMS, HE SAID TO ME A MOMENT AGO, “HEY, THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE IS WHEN THE DEVIL IS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.” IT’S LIKE… I WANT TO BE A VESSEL FOR LOVE […] IT’S WHAT I WANT TO DO, I WANT TO BE AN AMBASSADOR FOR THAT KIND OF LOVE AND CARE, CONCERN.”
Part of Will Smith’s speech after accepting the award for best actor at the 2022 Oscars.
Will Smith apologizes for hitting Cris Rock
After thanking Serena and Venus Williams for letting him be part of his family’s history, Will Smith apologized to the academy for the event. “I want to apologize to the academy and the rest of the nominees. This is a precious moment. I’m not crying about winning an award, it’s about being able to shine a light on all the people, the entire cast and crew of The Williams Method. Art imitates life and in the end I look like the crazy and retarded father. But love makes you do crazy things.”
Will Smith however, did not apologize directly to Cris Rock, who, as revealed by the Los Angeles police, will not report the actor for what happened. The academy, for its part, has revealed that it will launch an investigation.
