Rebutting a joke about his wife, Will Smith went on stage to punch Chris Rock, the comedian host of the 94th Academy Awards. His gesture marked the spirits.
As he prepares to present the Best Documentary Oscar, Chris Rock compared Jada Pinkett-Smith’s cropped hair to Demi Moore’s shaved head in the movie G.I. Janeevoking a GI Jane 2.
The joke obviously did not make the main concerned smile, who was filmed rolling her eyes. Jada Pinkett-Smith has in the past announced that she suffers from alopecia, an autoimmune disease causing hair loss.
If Will Smith seems to have first laughed at the presenter’s joke, he quickly got up, advancing with a determined step towards Chris Rock. The one who had played Muhammad Ali immersed himself in his role, slapping Chris Rock.
The American television channel ABC, which broadcast the ceremony, then cut the sound of the broadcast. The foreign channels, which did not censor the scene, allowed Will Smith to be heard shouting twice “leave my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth”, once he returned to his wife’s side.
The actor’s reaction quickly stirred comments from viewers. Will Smith is still trending on Twitter today.
Many initially believed in a set up of the Academy. But Will Smith’s words and tears made it clear that this was no sketch. Images of the actors and actresses present at the ceremony, taken at the time of the altercation, show that they too were surprised.
A thread of my favorite reactions to the will smith and Chris rock situation at the Oscar’s, first is Nicole Kidman pic.twitter.com/nGDVS5IuCu
— Cherise⁷ ???? Zo day (@SLIMJIMMIIE) March 28, 2022
toxic masculinity
Was Will Smith protective or patriarchal? The interpretation and justification of the gesture are debated. While some praised him for “standing up for his wife,” others saw it as a display of toxic masculinity.
“The patriarchy, its possessiveness towards women, its violence and selfishness is not romantic,” wrote on Twitter Emily Nicolascolumnist at Homework.
Awarded the Oscar for Best Actor for The Williams Method, Will Smith then gave a tearful speech, apologizing to the Academy. “Love makes you do crazy things,” he added.
The actor’s apologies, emphasizing the protective nature of the gesture, have also stirred up criticism. “’Love makes you do crazy things’. Every battered woman has heard that,” commented the journalist. E. Jean Caroll.
“Will Smith’s speech when he won had the same aftertaste as a man saying ‘but I love you’ 15 minutes after hitting his wife,” the actor, screenwriter and director wrote on Twitter. Simon Olivier Fecteau.
Threat to freedom of expression
Other public figures are rather worried about freedom of expression, fearing that Will Smith’s gesture will open the door to violent reactions from spectators towards the comedians.
“Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock can easily inspire an impulsive drunken spectator to approach the stage and punch a comedian because he didn’t like a joke. A hyper-toxic powder keg that validates horrible behavior,” the actor commented. Sex and the City, George Hahn.
A few hours after the clash, the Academy indicated on Twitter that she “does not tolerate violence in any form”remaining rather sober in his comments about the situation.
“So we let comedians get attacked because we don’t like a joke?” ! Without consequences? ! “, reacted the president of Just for laughs, Bruce Hills.
Chris Rock has not yet filed a complaint, Los Angeles police said.