Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Film and TV, Oscars
Claire Reid
Comedian Bill Maher has been criticised for saying Jada Pinkett Smith is ‘lucky’ that she only has to live with alopecia.
Weighing in on the dramatic moment Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for comparing Pinkett Smith to GI Jane, on Real Time with Bill Maher, the host said: “If you are so lucky in life as to have that be your medical problem, just say ‘thank God'.
“It’s not life threatening. It’s part of – for most people, 80 percent of men, 50 percent of women – it’s part of ageing.
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“Ageing is – trust me I know – it’s the degradation of the flesh. It happens to all of us.
“And you know, just put on a f***ing wig like everybody else at the Oscars if it bothers you so much.”
But his comments have not gone down well with some.
Posting on Twitter, one person wrote: “Isn't that enough? Like what else could she possibly need? Yes it's not lupus but it can be painful. Not to mention stressful to the point of depression from losing your hair. I pray it's a mild case.”
Another said: “How do we know she only has alopecia? You’ve been to her doctor's visits? Alopecia is also not associated solely w/ageing as children and teens can have Alopecia. The commitment to ignorance this week has been wild.”
A third wrote: “Another man coming for Jada instead of Will. Jada did not slap that idiot.”
Others sided with Maher, one viewer said: “Yes! She could [have] cancer like my mom did. Or live in the Ukraine. Or just barely be eking by like a big percent of Americans. Or... Eh, I could go on for hours, but you get the point.”
The outburst, which saw Smith storm the stage and slap Rock before returning to his seat and shouting “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth”, has left people divided, with some backing the Men In Black star for supporting his wife and others shocked at his behaviour.
Smith has since apologised to Rock saying his behaviour was ‘unacceptable’.
In the lengthy post shared to Instagram, the actor wrote: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
"I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
"I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world.
"I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress."
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