‘Assault is never the answer’: Local and international celebs weigh in on Will Smith-Chris Rock incident at the 2022 Oscars
The 2022 Oscars just became the talk of the town after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage when the comedian joked about the hair loss of his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Moments after the commotion, Smith apologized to the Academy during his acceptance speech for his Best Actor win, while Rock reportedly declined to file a police report.
Rock's stunned response to Smith onstage, and Smith cursing at Rock after he sat down was muted on American broadcast, but was left uncensored in other countries like Australia and Japan.
The Academy immediately addressed the incident on social media, saying it doesn’t “condone violence of any form.”
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
On the other hand, actress and activist Sophia Bush called out Smith and Rock on social media, stating that “assault is never the answer” and “both need a breather.”
“For people asking if [Jada’s] alopecia is public knowledge? Yes. She 1st spoke about it in 2018… Hitting him was not okay. AND his ‘joke’ was cruel & personal. All of it, awful,” Bush added.
Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) March 28, 2022
TV host and comedian Conan O’Brien asked if anyone has a “late-night show I can borrow.”
Just saw the Will Smith slap. Anyone have a late night show I can borrow just for tomorrow?
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 28, 2022
Comedian Kathy Griffin, meanwhile, called out Smith on social media, adding that it’s “a very bad practice” to “physically assault a comedian.”
Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 28, 2022
Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.
Basketball star Rudy Gay gave a “shout-out” to Rock for “not rubbing his face after the smack.”
Shout out to Chris Rock for not rubbing his face after the smack…. I know he wanted too
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) March 28, 2022
English TV personality Piers Morgan said Smith and Rock’s encounter was the “ugliest moment in Oscar’s history.”
It was real.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 28, 2022
Just seen the uncensored footage.
Will Smith hit Chris Rock for cracking a GI Jane joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith (who suffers from alopecia) - then twice screamed 'keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth' at him
Ugliest moment in Oscars history. .
Filipina content creator Inka Magnaye said while Smith’s intent to protect his wife was “quite noble,” he should have “called Rock out from his seat” instead.
The take nobody asked for:
— Inka (@inkamagnaye) March 28, 2022
Will Smith’s intent to protect and defend his wife was quite noble, but he also could have called Rock out from his seat and he would have been heard even if he was off mic.
Taking violence to a public stage was done in the heat of the moment.
Broadcast journalist Karen Davila said Smith and Rock’s encounter would’ve been a “perfect opportunity” to “educate a global audience.”
It could’ve been the perfect opportunity to educate a global audience… sadly, everyone just remembers the physical & verbal violence on TV. #AcademyAwards2022
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 28, 2022
TV host Daphne Oseña Paez said violence is not the answer if Smith wants to be a “vessel of love,” referring to Smith's subsequent remarks upon accepting his first Oscar award.
Will Smith says he wants to be a "vessel of love", "protector", "defender"... so violence is excused? It'll be analyzed, memed, imitated, condemned. With all the violence and intolerance going on in the world, this is not what we need to see& celebrate. #Oscars #willsmith https://t.co/dxGA11ktIs
— Daphne Oseña Paez (@DaphneOP) March 28, 2022
Business journalist Lala Rimando couldn’t hide her disgust with Smith and Rock, saying they both just “displayed your machismo and lack of self-control.”
Chris Rock, you’re cheap for your choice of I-am-better-than-you jokes.
— Lala Rimando (@lalarimando) March 28, 2022
Will Smith, you were not a hero nor someone to idolize for defending your wife publicly like from the likes of Rock.
You two men just displayed your machismo and lack of self control. Grow up!
Netizens also pointed out the visibly perplexed reactions of actresses Lupita Nyong’o and Nicole Kidman during the altercation. (Warning: some posts contain explicit language.)
The winner for Best Supporting “What the Fuck?” goes to Lupita Nyong’o. #oscars pic.twitter.com/7mxI1JublV
— Damian Holbrook (@damianholbrook) March 28, 2022
Lupita Nyong'o and Nicole Kidman’s reactions to Will Smith punching Chris Rock. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IS7i6G8EEy
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 28, 2022
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Lupita Nyong’o THE SLAP (2022) https://t.co/63woRZIVYd
— Sway Art (@JSwayArt) March 28, 2022
Nicole Kidman finally trading in the seal clap meme for her Will Smith/Chris Rock slap reaction 😭😭😭 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/H84BqMWgAa
— Joe (@onlyjoekin_) March 28, 2022
Nicole Kidman reacting to the Chris Rock and Will Smith incident at the #Oscars . A NEW MEME IS BORN.😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/X19AE19OUv
— Mauli Adam (@mauli_adam) March 28, 2022
no one:
— elo ⧗ tasha loml (@doraemaynat) March 28, 2022
literally no one:
lupita’s reaction at the #Oscars: pic.twitter.com/tJKl2mYMgA
