Will Smith’s first Oscar, which he slapped and swore at presenter Chris Rock for joking about wife Jada Pinkett Smith, has been dubbed “the slap that ended it all” by Twitter. Minutes before he won Best Actor, Will slapped and yelled at presenter Chris Rock for joking about wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the Oscars, issued a brief statement on its official Twitter account saying it does not “condone violence.”
The following was part of the statement: “Violence in any form is not tolerated by the Academy. Tonight, we are thrilled to honour the 94th Academy Award recipients, who have earned this honour from their colleagues and movie goers all across the globe.”
There were no names mentioned in either the Academy’s statement or Will Smith’s acceptance speech, which he used to apologise. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced that Chris Rock will not file a police report against Will Smith.
“An incident involving two persons occurred during the Academy Awards ceremony, according to LAPD investigators. One person slapped another during the altercation. The person who was involved in the incident has declined to submit a police report. The LAPD would be available to finish an investigative report if the involved party requests one at a later time,” the LAPD stated in a statement.
It all went downhill when Chris Rock joked that Jada Pinkett Smith should star in a GI Jane film, alluding to her shaved head (Jada has alopecia). Will Smith, who sat alongside her, was giggling as she rolled her eyes. When the camera returned to Chris Rock, Will stormed over to him and slapped him. “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king lips,” Will screamed as he returned to his seat.
It was clear right away that the scene was unplanned and not part of a premeditated performance. Sean Combs, often known as P Diddy, Puff Daddy, and other nicknames, was the next presenter to attempt damage control.
Inaugurating the 50th anniversary commemoration of The Godfather, Diddy said, “We’re going to solve it as a family, Will and Chris. We’re now moving forward with love.”
Will Smith seems to have regretted his outburst by the time he was awarded Best Actor. “I’d want to express my regret to the academy. I’d want to express my regret to all of my fellow candidates… Life imitates art. Like Richard Williams, I have the appearance of a mad parent. Love, on the other hand, will drive you insane,” Will said in an emotional address.
He also shared what Denzel Washington, another Best Actor contender, told him during the last commercial break: “Thank you, Denzel, for saying to me only a few minutes earlier… ‘Be careful, at your highest moment, the devil comes for you.”
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