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Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars after the comedian made a joke about the King Richard star’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Fans are reacting to the incident on social media, and they have some strong opinions. Here’s what happened and what fans are saying about it. 

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair

On Mar. 28, comedian Chris Rock cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, who was sitting in the audience, while he presented the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The comedian compared Pinkett Smith’s hair to Demi Moore’s cropped look in the 1997 film G.I. Jane. Pinkett Smith has spoken in the past about having alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. 

Will Smith, who was seated next to his wife, started laughing at Rock’s joke while Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes and appeared upset. Then Smith took the stage and slapped the comedian in the face. After sitting back down, the Suicide Squad actor called out, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth!”

Smith later won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He gave an emotional speech in which he apologized to the academy and his fellow nominees. The tearful actor also said, “Love will make you do crazy things.”

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Chris Rock and Will Smith | Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Fans are reacting to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars

Audience members and fans watching from home were shocked by Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars. Fans have a lot of thoughts about the encounter, and they are sharing their opinions on social media. 

Many fans found Smith’s behavior inexcusable. “I’m sorry but will smith assaulting someone and then saying ‘love will make you do crazy things’ is the same dialogue used to condone domestic violence,” one fan tweeted. “No excuse to turn to that sort of behavior, ever.”

Another fan tweeted, “I’m still baffled… that Will Smith was not removed after a physical assault witnessed by millions. Does anyone else see the problem with lauding such a type of male violence and excusing it or even high-fiving it and glorifying such a thing? Violence remains violence.”

Some fans are loving the slap drama at the Oscars. One fan tweeted, “Will smith smacked a mf and won an oscar 10 minutes later that was some legendary s***.”

And others are praising the actor for “defending” his wife, writing tweets like, “Will Smith is a King defending his family 🙌🏾.”

Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, and Will Smith pose together at an event.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, and Will Smith | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
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The comedian is not pressing charges against the ‘King Richard’ star

Chris Rock may have already forgiven Will Smith for slapping him at the Oscars because the comedian declined to file a police report.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed this in a statement obtained by Variety. “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the statement read. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report.”

The LAPD pointed out that Rock could still file a report later. “If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Rock isn’t the only one moving on from the incident. Smith’s son, Jaden Smith, seemingly approves of his father’s actions. He tweeted, “And That’s How We Do It,” late at night after the event. 

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