The 2022 Oscars may be remembered for a seemingly unscripted confrontation between presenter Chris Rock and actor Will Smith in a night full of emotional speeches and memorable moments.
Rock, who was on stage to present the Best Documentary award, started by making a joke about Javier Bardem and his wife Penelope Cruz, who were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
“If she loses, he can’t win,” Rock said. “He is hoping Will Smith wins.”
Rock then made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s, haircut, comparing it to Demi Moore’s buzz cut in the 1997 film “G.I. Jane.”
The American broadcast of the Oscars cut audio from the immediate aftermath of the confrontation, but audio aired in other countries like japan and Australia showed that Smith twice told Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth.”
“Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me,” a stunned Rock said.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth,” Smith said.
“Wow dude. It was a G.I. Jane joke,” Rock replied.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth!” Smith repeated.
“I’m going to, OK,” Rock said.
Rock then attempted to regain his composure.
“That was… greatest night in the history of television,” Rock finished, still seemingly stunned.
After Rock walked off stage, the next presenter, Sean “Diddy” Combs, attempted to broker a peace between Rock and Smith.
“Will and Chris, we’re gonna solve that like family at the Gold Party,” Combs said. “But right now we’re moving on with love.”
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