Will Smith responded with physical violence and slapped Chris Rock through the face at the 94th annual Academy Awards that the audience initially thought was a joke, with the Oscars organisers who said it doesn’t condone violence, and with the deaf family drama CODA from Apple TV+ which won the Oscar on Sunday night as Best Picture.
AFP reports that this year’s toxic Oscars was marred when the shocking altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock on stage changed the mood of the awards show after the physical assault on a Hollywood stage that was seen worldwide.
According to Reuters, the audio from the 94 Academy Awards, broadcast on a time delay of a few seconds in the United States and that was simulcast on MultiChoice’s M-Net (DStv 101), was cut from the live broadcast for many viewers because of the language.
Chris Rock was busy roasting some of the nominees and mentioned Jada Pinkett Smith, saying: “Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane II, can’t wait to see it.”
Moments later, Will Smith walked on stage toward Chris Rock, who had his hands behind his back. Then Will Smith suddenly and shockingly slapped Chris Rock with an open hand at his face that produced an audible smack.
“Oh, wow! Wow! Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me,” Chris Rock said as the audience laughed, thinking it was a joke skit.
“Wow, dude. It was a G.I. Jane joke,” Chris Rock said, referencing the 1997 film G.I. Jane in which actor Demi Moore shaved her head.
In December, Jada Pinkett Smith told Billboard she has been battling the autoimmune disorder alopecia, which can cause hair loss and balding.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth,” Will Smith then said.
“I’m going to. That’s the greatest night in the history of television,” Chris Rock said, with Will Smith that repeated his phrase, louder and more deliberately.
The audience initially thought Will Smith’s indignation was feigned and part of the act.
It was only after Will Smith returned to his seat and shouted that the Oscars audience inside the Dolby Theatre went silent and audibly gasped.
Will Smith later won the Oscar for playing Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith apologised to the Academy but not to Chris Rock when he accepted his award.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Will Smith said. “I hope the Academy invites me back.”
The Academy in a statement said “The Academy does not condone violence of any form”.
The recorded version of the 94th Academy Awards will be shown on M-Net (DStv 101) on Monday night at 21:30.