Will Smith slap shocks Oscars, Academy says it does not condone violence of any form

Oscars 2022: Will Smith walked up to the stage to slap Chris Rock for his insensitive comment about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair.

“Love makes you do crazy things,” said Will Smith, Best Actor Oscar winner, after slapping presenter Chris Rock at the ceremony today for joking about his wife actor Jada Pinkett Smith's hair.

Many people slammed Rock for his comment about Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia, a condition that causes rapid hair loss, but also criticised Smith for his violent behaviour.

The Academy of Motion Pictures said in a tweet that it does not condone any form of violence.

"Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world," it added.

The Academy does not condone violence of any form.

Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.

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— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022

"Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian," she tweeted. "Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters."

Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian.
Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 28, 2022

"This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the Oscar stage and tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather." 

Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.

— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) March 28, 2022

"Insane level of privilege to assault someone on live tv, have zero consequences, then win an Oscar and give a speech implying you’re a protector filled with love to a standing ovation," they added.

Smith has won Best Actor for portraying Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams in biographical drama King Richard.