Will Smith’s infamous slap at the Oscars 2022 sparked a heated debate about American culture’s apparent comfort with violence. Many top artists cited Chris Rock for his actions, while others tried to justify his actions. Celebrities, including Lupita Nyong’o, Nicole Kidman, and Serena Williams, shared their reactions on social media.
Smith won the award for his portrayal of Williams’s father, Richard Williams, who coached the tennis champion and her sister Venus.
Celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o, entrepreneur Diddy, and Wendy Sykes shared their reactions on social media. Amy Schumer, a co-host of the show, reflected on the incident on Instagram, stating she was still triggered and traumatized. She expressed her love for her friend Chris Rock and believed he handled the situation like a pro.
On Wednesday, Ellen DeGeneres, who did not see the actual slap, expressed her distress and shock at the incident. She also noted that she did not think Smith would be allowed to accept his Best Actor award, but that he was allowed to stay and enjoy the rest of the show. Jim Carrey, one of the greatest comedy actors of all time, also had something to say about Smith’s behavior.
At the Oscars, comedians Kerry, James Corden, and Stephen Colbert expressed their opinions on the incident involving Chris Rock and Will Smith. Kerry felt sickened by the standing ovation and felt that Hollywood was no longer the cool club anymore. He announced that he would have sued Will Smith for $200 million because the video would be ubiquitous. Corden also praised Rock for keeping the show moving, while Colbert argued that it was never okay to punch a comedian.
Seth Meyers, a former Saturday Night Live cast member, had a different view of the situation, stating that it was a display of narcissism. Actress Sophie Bush discussed the connection between the incident and violence, while Liam Payne gave insight into the emotional aspect of the situation. Tiffany Haddish saw the incident as a beautiful thing, believing that there are still men out there who love and care about their wives.
Famous musicians and artists from all over the world also had something to say about the incident, including Grammy Award-winning rapper Nicki Minaj, who expressed his love for Chris Rock and the whole team at the Oscars. Cardi B also chimed in, echoing Denzel Washington’s comments to Smith.
The incident shook the entire world, garnering attention from comedians hosts and fellow Oscar attendees. The reactions of celebrities to the incident are yet to be determined.