HOLLYWOOD TAKES SIDES
IT WAS THE SLAP HEARD AROUND THE WORLD
It’s been a week since Will Smith shocked the world by assaulting comedian Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards, and Hollywood still remains divided over the altercation.
A furious Will stormed the stage to slap Chris and shouted, “keep my wife’s name out of your f--king mouth”, after the comedian delivered a distasteful joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Chris quipped that the bald actress could star in a G.I. Jane remake, which caused offence on account of Jada’s hair loss being a result of autoimmune disease, alopecia.
Shortly afterwards, Will was announced as Best Actor. The King Richard star received a standing ovation as he
tearfully referenced the need to defend his family’s honour and claimed “love will make you do crazy things” – but failed to apologise to Chris, 57.
The next day, Will, 53, took to social media to offer a personal apology to Chris, but the damage had been done.
Many within the industry slammed Will’s violent action, and there were immediate calls for him to be stripped of his Oscar and be banned from any future ceremonies.
“Still triggered and traumatised,” said Amy Schumer, one of the ceremony’s three hosts. “I love my friend Chris Rock and believe he handled it like a pro.”
Jim Carrey also blasted
Will’s actions as “selfish”, and said the audience was “spineless” for giving him a standing ovation.
However, there were also a number of allies who are standing by Will.
Following the incident, fellow A-listers Denzel Washington and Bradley Cooper rushed to Will’s side to comfort him. Many other celebrities took to social media to say he was right to defend his wife’s honour.
Via a statement, the Academy said they do “not condone violence of any form”, and revealed they asked Will to leave the ceremony following his outburst, but he refused. They might yet take disciplinary action.