Source:
https://scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3172087/will-smith-hits-chris-rock-stage-oscars-drops-f-bomb-after
Lifestyle/ Entertainment

Will Smith hits Chris Rock on stage at Oscars, before winning best actor Academy Award for King Richard

  • Smith storms onto the stage at the Dolby Theatre and smacks Rock hard with an open hand after Rock joked about the hairstyle of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith
  • I’m hoping the Academy invites me back, the actor says to close his acceptance speech for the best actor Oscar for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard
Actor Will Smith (right) swings at US actor Chris Rock during the Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Photo: EPA-EFE

Best actor nominee Will Smith smacked presenter Chris Rock in the face with an open hand and shouted a vulgarity at the comedian for making a joke about his wife’s appearance at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday.

Rock made a joke about the hairstyle of Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith that referenced the movie G.I. Jane, in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head.

Smith, who is nominated for best actor for King Richard, walked on stage and slapped Rock in what at first appeared to be a scripted joke.

But the mood turned sombre moments later when Smith, back in his seat, shouted back, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*****g mouth.”

Will Smith accepts the best actor Oscar. Photo: AFP
Will Smith accepts the best actor Oscar. Photo: AFP

Minutes later, Smith was back on stage to accept his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father who raised tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard.

Smith, 53, one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, had been nominated twice before, for 2001’s Ali and 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness.

This time, he depicted Williams and his unconventional strategy for elevating his daughters from a municipal park in a hardscrabble Los Angeles neighbourhood to Centre Court at Wimbledon.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said through tears.

“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”

US actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, attend the 94th Oscars. Photo: AFP
US actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, attend the 94th Oscars. Photo: AFP

“I’m hoping the Academy invites me back,” Smith said to close his speech.

After the altercation and Smith’s speech, host Amy Schumer returned to the stage, saying: “Did I miss anything? there’s like a different vibe in here.”

Rock declined to file a police report against Smith for slapping him, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Police Department.

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” the statement read.

“The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

The exchange began when Rock took aim at Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, saying, “Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see it, all right?”

Pinkett Smith revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia. She has often discussed the challenges of hair loss on Instagram and other social media platforms.

The beef between actor and presenter might have its roots in a 2016 incident, when Rock also hosted the Oscars. During the comedian’s opening monologue at the 88th Oscars, he made jokes about both Smith and his wife, taking jabs at Pinkett Smith for boycotting the event over the lack of Black nominees.

“But what happened this year? People went mad. Spike Lee went mad… Jada Pinkett Smith went mad. Will Smith went mad. Everyone went mad,” Rock said during his monologue.

“Jada said she’s not coming, protesting. Isn’t she on a TV show? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties – I wasn’t invited.”

“That’s not an invitation I would turn down,” Rock continued. “But I understand. I understand you’re mad – Jada’s mad her man Will was not nominated for Concussion,” Rock said, referring to Smith’s 2015 football film.

“I get it. Tell the truth. I get it. It’s not fair that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated. It’s also not fair that Will was paid US$20 million for Wild Wild West.”

Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse, Business Insider