Featured Image Credit: ABC
Topics: Academy Awards, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Oscars, Will Smith, Film and TV
Abbi Murray
Topics: Academy Awards, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Oscars, Will Smith, Film and TV
Will Smith had a rather eventful time at the Oscar’s last night.
From his shocking outburst of violence, to winning Best Actor for his role in King Richard, to showing up at the Variety after-party like none of it ever happened, the 53-year-old was certainly a busy man.
However, his bust-up with comedian Chris Rock will undoubtedly overshadow the 94th Academy Awards Ceremony for years to come.
The altercation occurred after Rock, 57, made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
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Addressing Smith's wife personally in his speech as a presenter, he said: “Jada, can’t wait for G.I. Jane 2.”
Much to his shock, the insult resulted in Smith storming on stage and hitting the comedian across the face.
He swiftly returned to his seat while yelling: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
The joke was ill-received by the Smith family as Pinkett Smith has previously opened up about suffering from alopecia, a condition related to hair loss which has now resulted in the 50-year-old shaving her head.
But what exactly did the G.I. Jane reference mean?
G.I. Jane is a movie dating back to 1997, which boasts Demi Moore as the lead, Jordan O’Neil.
The action film sees Moore put through her paces as the first woman to go through Navy Seal training , beating many of her male peers competing alongside her in the process.
In order to complete the gruelling training and solidify her position as a Seal, Jordan momentously shaves her head and finally becomes the titular G.I Jane.
The move is understood to reflect Jordan’s rejection of femininity.
Moore's character’s iconic look therefore led to Rock making a joke about Pinkett Smith's fresh buzzcut.
After the audience was left suitably stunned by Smith's turn to violence, Rock looked perplexed by what had just occurred.
Turning to the audience, he joked: “Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me.”
He then attempted to continue his presenting role for the best documentary feature category, before later adding: "That was the greatest night in the history of television."
Smith later apologised for his actions after he went on stage to accept his first-ever Oscar.
He said: "I want to apologise to the academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees.
"Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things."
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