In one of the most embarrassing moments in Academy Awards history Chris Rock and Will Smith had an altercation during the 2022 Oscar telecast.
Before Rock appeared on stage to present the Oscar for documentary feature, the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith being in “G.I. Jane” because of her shaved head subsequent to which the former rapper/Pickett’s husband got up and slapped Rock. While it appeared to be a set up joke at first, Mr Smith returned to his seat and yelled at Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!”
The Oscars audience was stunned by the physical confrontation and Smith’s publicist Meredith O. Sullivan had a discussion with him at the commercial break as did Denzel Washington who told Will privately, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”
Sullivan continued to consult with Smith during each commercial break following the incident along with the program’s producer Will Packer who visited Smith before the best actor category was announced. Smith was nominated for his performance in “King Richard” and won the Oscar later in the ceremony.
In a feeble attempt to re-frame the incident, during his acceptance speech, Will Smith said “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” and later apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees for his behavior.
Rock ended up awarding the documentary Oscar to Questlove for “Summer of Soul,” and when asked in the Oscars press room about slap-incident, the director simply said, “I’m not talking about that. This is about the Harlem cultural festival.”
Pinkett Smith announced last year she shaved her head after struggling with alopecia.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Gage Skidmore