Last year, the 94th Academy Awards ceremony became etched in history, not for the glittering gowns or the deserving winners, but for an unprecedented moment of live television drama: “The Slap Heard Around the World.” During what was supposed to be a celebratory night for cinema, actor Will Smith walked onto the stage and struck comedian Chris Rock across the face in front of a stunned global audience.
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Just minutes after this shocking altercation, Smith was back on stage accepting the prestigious Best Actor award for his powerful portrayal in King Richard. This juxtaposition of violence and accolade only amplified the controversy, leading to significant repercussions for Smith, including a 10-year ban from Academy events and prompting the Oscars to implement new crisis management protocols for subsequent ceremonies.
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While the image of the slap remains vivid in public memory, the exact chain of events leading up to it and the ensuing fallout might have become somewhat hazy. Let’s break down the incident and answer the burning question: Why Did Will Smith Slap Chris Rock?
The Joke That Triggered a Slap: Chris Rock’s G.I. Jane Remark
Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars, delivering his monologue before the incident.
Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars, delivering his monologue before the incident. (REUTERS)
The incident unfolded as Chris Rock took the stage to present the nominees for Best Documentary Feature. Known for his comedic style that often pushes boundaries, Rock launched into a brief monologue. It was during this routine that he directed a joke towards Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife, referencing her shaved head. He likened her look to Demi Moore’s character in the 1997 film G.I. Jane.
“Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see it, all right?” Rock quipped. While parts of the audience responded with laughter, Jada Pinkett Smith visibly reacted with displeasure.
Pinkett Smith has been open about her struggles with alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss, which was the reason behind her decision to shave her head. This context is crucial in understanding the sensitivity of Rock’s joke.
Initially, Will Smith appeared to laugh along with the joke. However, moments later, he walked purposefully onto the stage, approached Rock, and delivered a forceful slap across his face. He then turned around and returned to his seat, leaving the audience in a state of stunned silence and confusion. Many initially wondered if the entire episode was a staged part of the show.
“Wow… Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me,” Rock eventually exclaimed, attempting to regain composure and lighten the intensely awkward atmosphere with humor.
Any doubt about the seriousness of the situation was immediately dispelled when Smith, from his seat, loudly and clearly yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth.” He repeated the demand, making it unequivocally clear that the slap was not a joke and was a direct response to Rock’s comment about his wife.
The Aftermath: Award Acceptance and Academy Ban
Will Smith at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 94th Academy Awards ceremony.
Will Smith at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 94th Academy Awards ceremony. (PA Archive)
In an almost surreal turn of events, less than forty minutes after the slap, Will Smith was called back to the stage to accept the Best Actor Oscar. He won the award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, in the movie King Richard.
Smith’s acceptance speech was highly emotional, where he attempted to contextualize his actions, drawing parallels between himself and his character in the film. “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith stated, adding, “In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world.” The speech was perceived by many as an attempt to justify his violent outburst under the guise of protecting his family.
Later that evening, videos surfaced online showing Smith appearing jubilant and dancing at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, seemingly untroubled by the earlier incident.
Despite the global outcry and condemnation of Smith’s actions, Chris Rock declined to press charges against him.
However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did take decisive action. Five days after the ceremony, Will Smith resigned from the Academy, relinquishing his membership. Following this, the Academy’s Board of Governors convened an expedited meeting and decided to ban Smith from attending the Oscars and all other Academy events for a decade.
Months later, in July of the same year, Smith released a public apology video directed at Chris Rock. Rock, however, remained publicly silent on the matter until recently.
This week, nearly a year after the infamous slap, Chris Rock finally addressed the incident directly and at length in his live Netflix comedy special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage. In his special, Rock offered his perspective on the events, providing closure (of sorts) to a saga that captivated and divided audiences worldwide.
Don’t miss the next chapter in Hollywood drama: Find out how to watch the Oscars from home and when the 2023 ceremony begins.
