Deadline Hollywood reports:
While presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature, which ultimately went to Questlove’s Summer of Soul, Chris Rock made a joke at the expense of Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, leading to an on-stage altercation that was not scripted and drew gasps from the room, according to sources. “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” Rock said with reference to Pinkett Smith’s appearance.
Will Smith seemed to be laughing following Rock’s comment. But he then stunned the audience at the Dolby by storming the stage and slapping Rock in the face. “Wow,” said Rock afterward. “Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me.” Smith’s comments were bleeped when he returned to his seat, but it was apparent that he told Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out your f***king mouth.” Rock replied, “Wow, dude. It was a G.I. Jane joke.”
Variety reports:
Many in the Oscars audience appeared stunned at the altercation. Diddy was the next presenter during the ceremony, where he appeared to introduce the 50th anniversary celebration to “The Godfather.” Diddy addressed the situation by saying, “Will and Chris, we’re going to solve this like family. Right now we’re moving on with love.”
Smith’s publicist Meredith O. Sullivan came by him at the commercial break to have a discussion. Also during the break, Denzel Washington got up to speak to Smith privately. Smith revealed during his best actor speech that Washington said to him, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”
Pinkett Smith announced last year she shaved her head after struggling with alopecia. Asked in the Oscars press room about Smith smacking Rock, Questlove said, “I’m not talking about that. This is about the Harlem cultural festival.”
CNN reports:
Chris Rock will not be pressing charges against Will Smith following their onstage altercation at this year’s Oscars, the Los Angeles Police Department has said.
“The Pursuit of Happyness” star appeared remorseful when he returned to the stage shortly after, to accept the Oscar for best actor for his role as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams, in the film “King Richard.”
During his emotional speech, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees for the incident but did not mention Rock by name. The LAPD confirmed on Monday that Rock declined to file a police report.
UNCENSORED WILL SMITH FOOTAGE AS SHOWN ON AUSTRALIAN TV pic.twitter.com/NcRfdjWxqe
— David Mack (@davidmackau) March 28, 2022
Faye Dunaway just called Warren Beatty and said “well darling they just forgot about us!” #oscars
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) March 28, 2022
Latimes photog @myung_chun with a still of that will smith slap pic.twitter.com/bLxQiSxfAj
— Fidel Martinez (@fidmart85) March 28, 2022
Following the moment in which Will Smith seemingly slapped Chris Rock at the #Oscars, Smith is comforted by Tyler Perry and Denzel Washington. He appears to wipe away tears before rejoining his wife pic.twitter.com/TyXPQe1WGY
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 28, 2022
Will Smith hits at Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder pic.twitter.com/dEdg8lwJ8y
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) March 28, 2022
Serious question: Is Will Smith going to be charged with assault? Because that was assault. #Oscars
— George Hahn (@georgehahn) March 28, 2022
Will Smith owes Chris Rock a huge apology. There is no excuse for what he did. He’s lucky Chris is not filing assault charges. The excuses he made tonight were bullshit.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) March 28, 2022
And THIS is why he needs to be held accountable for #assault. All the young dudes just saw their hero do this. They think THAT is an OK response. No. No and No. I absolutely love Will Smith as an actor and his outlook on life normally. But this situation needs to be admonished. pic.twitter.com/xgN64yOyw5
— Meredith Salenger (@MeredthSalenger) March 28, 2022
so right George – so right #assault #WillSmith https://t.co/hcw6eM0zxL
— ROSIE (@Rosie) March 28, 2022
Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian.
Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 28, 2022
For all those defending Will Smith’s violence and assault on Chris Rock, would you have same reaction if Amy Schumer had made the joke and Smith hit her?
— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) March 28, 2022