Because the 94th Academy Awards neared its finish, one of many largest surprises rocked the evening: An intense trade after Will Smith confronted Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Smith's spouse Jada Pinkett Smith's hair. Simply minutes later, Smith gained his first Oscar, taking house Greatest Actor for his position in "King Richard."
Rock joked that he was trying ahead to a sequel to "G.I. Jane" starring Pinkett Smith, main Will Smith to make his solution to the stage and smack Rock.
After returning to his seat, Smith shouted to Rock to "maintain my spouse's identify out of your f***ing mouth." The trade got here as a shock to many within the viewers, as actress Lupita Nyong'o, who was seated close to Smith, and may very well be seen on digicam, appeared utterly shocked. ABC silenced the audio of trade because of the profanity, leaving viewers watching at house initially confused about what occurred.
The Los Angeles Police Division issued an announcement after the present ended saying that they're "conscious of incident between two people throughout the Academy Awards program." In keeping with the LAPD, Rock declined to file a police report. "If the concerned get together needs a police report at a later date, LAPD can be accessible to finish an investigative report," police mentioned.
The Academy Awards tweeted early Monday that it "doesn't condone violence of any kind. Tonight we're delighted to rejoice our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this second of recognition from their friends and film lovers world wide."
Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about her hair loss because of the autoimmune illness alopecia. In 2018, Pinkett Smith opened up throughout an episode of her present, "Crimson Desk Discuss," saying "It was terrifying when it first began. I used to be within the bathe at some point and had simply handfuls of hair in my arms and I used to be identical to 'Oh my God, am I going bald?'"
Will Smith later apologized, with out immediately mentioning the sooner confrontation, to the Academy and his fellow Greatest Actor nominees whereas accepting the award. He mentioned Richard Williams, whom he portrays in "King Richard," was a "fierce defender of his household."
"I wish to apologize to the Academy," Smith mentioned. "I wish to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This can be a stunning second and I am not crying for profitable an award. It is not about profitable an award for me. It is about having the ability to shine a lightweight on all the folks. Tim and Trevor and Zack and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the whole solid and crew of 'King Richard,' Venus and Serena, the whole Williams household. Artwork imitates life. I appear to be the loopy father, identical to they mentioned about Richard Williams."
The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg tweeted footage of Smith being pulled apart and comforted by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry throughout the industrial break proper after Smith smacked Rock. Smith ultimately made his solution to his seat, and appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.
Jaden Smith, the son of Smith and Pinkett Smith, tweeted after the present "And That is How We Do It." It is unclear if he was referring to the slap, his father's win for Greatest Actor or each.