Hollywood actor, Will Smith has won the academy award for Best Actor moments after a stunning on-stage meltdown in which he slapped presenter Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife’s haircut.
Just minutes after striking Rock with an open hand live on stage, Smith won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father who raised tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in ‘King Richard.’
Accepting the award, Smith issued a tearful apology for his emotional outburst, saying: ‘I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment.’
‘Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,’ said a visibly emotional Smith. ‘In this time in my life, in this moment I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do.’ The slapping incident occurred after Rock cracked jokes about the haircut of Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. The shocking scene, broadcast live around the world, stunned both the live audience at the Dolby Theatre and TV viewers. After Smith strode out on stage and slapped Rock with an open right hand, Rock staggered and exclaimed ‘wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me.’
Smith, visibly emotional, walked back to his seat in the audience and shouted: ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth
The exchange was muted on a delayed telecast in much of the US, but was aired in full to some international audiences.
Smith, who is nominated in the best actor category, appeared to take offence to a gag Rock made about Pinkett Smith’s short haircut. Referring to Pinkett Smith’s buzzcut, Rock said: ‘Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2’, prompting the actress to roll her eyes. Pinkett Smith has been grappling with hair loss since revealing her alopecia diagnosis in 2018.
After being slapped, Rock appeared shocked and flustered as he tried to resume presenting the best documentary feature category.
He remarked: This was apparently not in the script and really happened. No word if charges will be filed.
Watch the video moment below ;
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