OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is apparently throwing her husband, Will Smith, under the bus after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
US Weekly spoke to sources close to Jada Pinkett, who allegedly said: “It was in the heat of the moment and it was him overreacting. He knows that she knows that. They’re in agreement that he overreacted.”
The source continued: “She’s not one of these women that needs protecting. He didn’t need to do what he did, she didn’t need protecting. She’s not a wallflower. She’s a strong woman, an opinionated woman and she can fight her own battles. But she will stand by him,” the source said.
The aftermath of the viral moment has been all bad news for Will Smith.
The “Men in Black” actor resigned from the Academy, saying, “I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable.”
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate,” he added.
Smith also issued a public apology, saying he was “out of line” and “wrong” for striking Rock.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” the 53-year-old actor captioned his post on Instagram. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
The Los Angeles Police Department revealed that Rock “declined to file a police report” following an altercation with Smith at the Oscars.
A full statement from the Los Angeles Police Department reads: “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
During the Oscars award show on Sunday night, Rock was presenting the best documentary feature and cracked a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, for having a shaved head.
Pinkett Smith announced last year she shaved her head after struggling with alopecia, which is an autoimmune condition that results in hair loss.
Rock jokingly compared Pinkett Smith’s shaved head to the look of Demi Moore in the 1997 movie “G.I. Jane.”
“Jada, I love ya,” Rock told the audience. “G.I. Jane 2 movie, can’t wait to see it.”
Smith stood up, walked onto the stage, and slaps Rock.
Smith returned to his seat and shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***king mouth!”
“Oh wow, wow. Will Smith just smacked the sh** outta me,” Rock announced to the crowd.
“Wow, dude,” Rock replied. “It was a G.I. Jane joke.”
Ironically enough, Smith won Best Actor for his role in “King Richard” minutes after he assaulted Rock and spoke about what happened.
“In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who was one of the most strongest, most delicate people I ever met. I got to protect Saniyya (Sidney) and Demi (Singleton), the two actresses that played Venus and Serena. I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people,” Smith continued.
Smith also said he had to suffer disrespect in his career, saying: “You gotta smile, you gotta pretend like that’s OK.”
