Reactions to Will Smith’s freak: “The Academy does not condone violence”

After the end of the Oscar ceremony, hardly anyone talks about the winners of the evening. The appearance of Will Smith (53) was too shocking. The later winner in the category “Best Actor” (for “King Richard”) had hit comedian Chris Rock (57) in the face on stage.

: “The Academy does not condone violence of any kind. Tonight we are happy to celebrate our 94th Oscar winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and film lovers around the world.”

No report to the police

citing Los Angeles Police Department that following Will Smith’s attack, Chris Rock “refused to report the attack.” The Los Angeles Police Department statement said: “LAPD investigators are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. In the incident, one individual hit another. The individual involved declined to report the incident to be reimbursed to the police.”

Before Will Smith got up from his seat at the Oscars, came onto the stage and seamlessly struck, comedian Chris Rock had made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith (50). Pinkett Smith may be preparing for The Jane Files sequel, he joked. An obvious nod to the actress having her head shaved. The 1997 film starred Demi Moore (59) with her hair shaved off.

Jada Pinkett Smith has long suffered from a disease-related hair loss, alopecia, which she made public in 2018. Shortly before her 50th birthday, she shaved her head completely. According to media reports, Will Smith said in his attack on Chris Rock: “Don’t put my wife’s name in your damn mouth.”

Apologies to the Academy

Will Smith was awarded an Oscar for best actor for ‘King Richard’ after the incident and apologized in his tearful acceptance speech. The actor said, “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow contestants.” He also explained, among other things: “At this time in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is asking me to do and be in this world. (…) I am called in my life to Loving people and protecting people (…).”

Internet reactions to the Oscar scandal ranged from memes to a lot of criticism. Some also supported Smith after the beating, including the actor’s 23-year-old son Jaden Smith. : “And this is how we do it.”

Actress : “It was just a joke. Jokes are what Chris Rock does. He’s always been tough. That was a mild joke for him.” at the Oscar party: The industry can be very hurtful, “and I think we saw two artists with open hearts. It’s a vulnerable moment, sometimes it’s chaotic, but it’s always nice when it’s the truth” .

Actress Tiffany Haddish (42) told the “Los Angeles Times” about the incident: “Every woman wants that, right? She was hurt. And he protected his wife. And that’s what a man should do.”