The most talked-about moment of the 94th Academy Awards was when Will Smith, who received the Best Actor Award, slapped presenter Chris Rock. So what happened before and after this event?
At the Oscar Awards Ceremony held last night, there was a debate that went down in Oscar Awards history between Will Smith, who won the Best Actor Oscar, and Chris Rock, who took the stage to present the Best Documentary Oscar.
On stage to host, Chris Rock referred to the 1997 movie “GI Jane,” starring Demi Moore, about the short hair of Will Smith’s partner, actress Jada Pinkett Smith. Demi Moore starred in the movie with her shaved hair.
Jada Pinkett Smith, who previously announced that she lost her hair due to a health problem, made it clear that she did not enjoy Rock’s joke. What we saw next was Will Smith jumping onto the stage and slapping Chris Rock.
Although all this seemed like a planned joke at first, Will Smith’s abusive shouting, “Don’t mention my wife’s name,” revealed the seriousness of the event. The official broadcaster of the ceremony, ABC, cut the voices at these moments. However, from the shock expression on the faces of the guests, it was clear that there was a scandal that would go down in Oscar history…
After this event, Diddy took the stage to present the 50th anniversary of The Godfather. “Will and Chris, we will solve this like family. Now we continue on our way with love.” He tried to calm the atmosphere and disperse the tense atmosphere. During the commercial break, Denzel Washington tried to calm Will Smith down, as we can see from the videos that were shared on social media later. Among those who had private conversations with Will Smith were the producer of the Oscar Awards Ceremony, Will Packer, and Smith’s public relations specialist.
Later in the ceremony, it was announced that Will Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in “King Richard”. Will Smith, who burst into tears during his speech, explained that Denzel Washington told him during the commercial break, “In your highest hour, be careful, then the devil will come for you.”
In his speech, Smith said, “Richard Williams was an ardent defender of his family,” referring to the character of Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams, played in “King Richard”. Will Smith’s attitude, who tried to explain his intense love for his family and wife, when he went on stage and slapped Chris Rock, later garnered a great reaction.
Continuing his speech, Smith apologized to the Academy and other candidates for his behavior, and did not apologize to Chris Rock: “I want to apologize to the academy. I want to apologize to all my nominees. It’s such a beautiful moment and I’m not crying to win an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all people. Tim and Trevor and Zack and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the whole cast and crew of ‘King Richard’, Venus and Serena, the whole Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like a crazy dad like they said about Richard Williams.”
“Richard Williams was an ardent defender of his family. At this time in my life, at this moment, I am stunned by what God has called me to do and be in this world. While making this movie, I have to protect Aunjanue Ellis, one of the strongest, most delicate people I know. I have to protect Saniyya and Demi, the two actresses who play Venus and Serena. All my life I have been called to love people, protect people, and be a river to my people. I know I will do what we do, you should be able to abuse it. You have to be able to get people to talk crazy about you. You must have people in this business who disrespect you. You have to smile and act like it’s okay. Will Smith ended his speech by saying, “I hope the Academy invites me again.”
Later that night, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that Chris Rock did not press charges against Will Smith. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also made a statement regarding the event, stating that the Academy does not condone violence in any way, adding, “Tonight, we are happy to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners who deserve a moment of recognition by their colleagues and moviegoers around the world.” said.
Although the events seem to have settled down with this statement of the Academy for now, it is obvious that Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock will be discussed and discussed for a longer time.
