Why Did Will Smith Hit Chris Rock? Thanks, of course, to “The Slap Heard Around the World,” last year’s Oscars may go down in history as the most dramatic. On March 27, 2022, at the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith bounded onto the stage and punched presenter Chris Rock in the face.
Check out the events leading up to Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap of comedian Chris Rock following the latter’s joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Here is a summary of all the events leading up to this point.
Why Did Will Smith Hit Chris Rock?
Chris Rock was slapped by Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards. Will Smith wasn’t being ridiculous when he gave the world the slap of the night before; rather, it was historic.
The King Richard actor’s greatest night was set to happen during that Awards, but it was swiftly overshadowed when he struck Chris Rock in the face during the presentation. The comedian made a G.I. Jane joke about Jada Pinkett Smith while presenting an award; the joke was probably inspired by her shaved hairstyle.
Shortly after, Smith charged onto the stage, slapping Rock across the cheek, and yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.” At past events, the trio seemed friendly, but Rock has joked throughout his career at the Smiths’ expense, which might have strained relations between them and made the Oscars predicament worse.
Looking back, the tense moment seems like the conclusion of the couple’s and the comedian’s long history of conflict. Chris Rock claimed that Smith wouldn’t have been invited to the event in the first place.
Attendees at the Oscars are well aware that they could be the subject of jokes from presenters and hosts throughout the program, but it appears that this exchange has been building for a while.
Check out this look back at Chris Rock’s relationship with the Smiths over the years to see what may have happened to set off one of the most talked-about events in Academy history.
Chris Rock’s Relationship with the Smiths
Will Smith and Chris Rock have been in contact since the beginning of their careers? Although their professional relationship isn’t as strong as their disagreements off-set, Rock appeared in “Get a Job” and performed two parts: that of Maurice and that of his sister Jasmine, whom Will had to go on a date with.
In 1998, the comedian gave Smith his Grammy for Best Rap Song for “Men in Black,” and their awkward on-stage embrace was documented. Before handing the rapper his trophy, the Longest Yard actor also uttered the words “Get outta here” multiple times, as if he was shocked.
Both of them made an appearance in the Spike Jonze mockumentary Torrance Rises in 1999. Since then, the two haven’t acted together in a big movie, and this may be partly because Rock believes Smith has robbed him of roles in the past—a belief he made light of more than a decade ago.
In March 2011, Rock joked on The Late Show with David Letterman about how frustrating it has been to have to compete with Smith all his career. The comedian was discussing how Smith, along with his daughter Willow, had always wanted a singing child.
The comedian was discussing how Smith, along with his daughter Willow, had always wanted a singing child. “That Will Smith ruined everything for all of us. After stealing parts from me, the man is now stealing from my children, according to Rock. It’s awful. How in the hell? Don’t you have enough, Will Smith?
The comedian Pokes Fun at Smith’s Family’s Dynamic
Following the posting of a photo of Trey Smith and his mother Sheree Zampino on the occasion of Trey’s birthday, “Wow,” said Rock in a comment below the Instagram photo. Your spouse is incredibly understanding.
It appeared as though Rock was referring to Smith’s ability to keep up a positive relationship with a former partner. Later, in response to Rock’s remark, Zampino said, “Don’t hate.” Smith at the time didn’t respond to Rock.
It was unclear if the joke Rock made was mocking Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle, the caliber of the films she stars in, or both at once. Then Smith entered the stage, slapped Rock, and walked back to his seat.
Rock could be heard saying, “Uh oh.” Rock said, “Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.” From the crowd, Smith retaliated by yelling twice, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.” “Whoa, man. With visible anxiety, Rock continued, “It was a G.I. Jane joke.” “All right, I will.
That night stands out as the most memorable in television history. Timothy Burke, a reporter, stated that he had verified that Rock did not write the joke and that “it came from the writing staff.
What Happened After the Slap?
Will Smith returned to the stage to accept one of the night’s top awards less than forty minutes after the slap. In Reinaldo Marcus Green’s King Richard, Smith played Richard Williams, the father of tennis players Venus and Serena, and took home the Best Actor award.
Smith’s membership in the Oscars awards body was terminated five days following the slap when he submitted an official resignation letter to the Academy.
To quickly decide Smith’s fate, the Academy accelerated a meeting with the board of governors and decided to bar the actor from the Oscars and any associated Academy events for the ensuing ten years.
Smith sent Rock an apology video in July of last year, to which the comedian did not reply.
Final Thoughts
However, one thing is certain: using violence is never the solution. Both guys are gifted and successful people who have made the world a happier place through their efforts. All we can do is hope that they can get better and move on constructively. Let’s take what we can from this experience and work to settle disputes in more positive ways.
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