Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. When Rock hosted the Oscars in 2016, it was in the midst of the #OscarsSoWhite protests, and Pinkett Smith was one of many major Black celebrities who had committed to boycotting the Oscars to protest their lack of diversity. Rock has also targeted Pinkett Smith in his Oscars humor before. In 2009, he produced and starred in the documentary Good Hair, about how Black women have historically thought about and styled their hair. Rock is familiar with the vexed politics surrounding Black women’s hair. In July 2021, Pinkett Smith shaved her head, saying her daughter Willow convinced her “it was time to let go.” “I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, ‘Oh my god, am I going bald?’” “It was terrifying when it first started,” she said at the time. She first went public with her diagnosis in 2018 on her Facebook Live show Red Table Talk. Pinkett Smith has been diagnosed with alopecia, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.” But the next day, TMZ reported that sources present at the ceremony claimed Smith was not asked to leave the Oscars, and was invited to stay by producer Will Packer. “Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” the statement said. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.” At a comedy show that Wednesday, Rock seemed to imply that Smith has not reached out to him personally.Īlso that Wednesday, the Academy issued a statement saying that Smith was asked to leave the Oscars ceremony Sunday night and declined to do so. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” he wrote. The following Monday, Smith posted an apology to Rock on Instagram. Smith went on to say that he wanted to “lift up” the stories of people like Richard Williams, who protected those he loved. It’s about being able to shine a light on all the people.” “I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. “I want to apologize to the Academy,” he said. Smith wept throughout his speech, which ranged from a defense of his actions to apologies to the Academy to an exaltation of Richard Williams. “In this time in my life, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world.” “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith began as he took the stage. Just minutes later, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard, in which he played Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams. Okay.” Then he went on with presenting the Oscar (which went to Summer of Soul, directed by Questlove). He paused for a second, double-taking, and the audio in the US came back again just in time to catch him saying, “That was the greatest night in the history of television. “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth,” Smith repeated. “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth,” Smith shouted from the audience. “Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me, everybody.” “Wow! Wow!” said Rock, swaying slightly as Smith strode back to his seat. The audio of the US broadcast went out at that point, but it continued uncensored in other countries, including Japan and Australia. Pinkett’s face went stony, and Smith got to his feet, marched onto the stage, and slapped Rock in the face. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it, all right?” In the leadup to announcing the nominees, he went through a little comedic patter about some of the nominees, and his attention appeared to snag on Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, sitting in front in a green gown with a shaved head. Smith, who resigned from the Academy on April 1, said in a statement, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”Ĭhris Rock was appearing at the Oscars to announce the winner for Best Documentary. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.” “This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in an open letter on April 8. “I did not know this was gonna be the most exciting Oscars ever,” marveled Diddy shortly after. Minutes later, Smith won his first ever Oscar. Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Smith took the stage and slapped him. The incident came in the final hour of an otherwise sleepy Oscars telecast on March 27. Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock live on camera during the award show, the New York Times reports.
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