In a shocking incident that rocked the entertainment world, actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Academy Awards last year, and the aftermath still lingers, leaving Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, “shocked.” In a recent interview with People, Jada opened up about the incident and its impact.
The incident, now famously known as “The Slap,” occurred when Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s appearance during the Oscars. Will Smith’s reaction took everyone by surprise, and Jada couldn’t believe it was real. She recalls thinking, “This is a skit.” It wasn’t until Will started to return to his seat that she realized it wasn’t scripted. Her immediate concern was for her husband’s well-being, and she asked him, “Are you okay?”
“I THOUGHT, ‘THIS IS A SKIT,’” “I WAS LIKE, ‘THERE’S NO WAY THAT WILL HIT HIM. IT WASN’T UNTIL WILL STARTED TO WALK BACK TO HIS CHAIR THAT I EVEN REALIZED IT WASN’T A SKIT.” PINKETT SMITH ADDED THAT THE FIRST THING SHE ASKED HIM WAS, “ARE YOU OKAY?”
In her upcoming memoir, titled “Worthy,” set for release on October 17, Jada Pinkett Smith delves deeper into the incident and her personal journey. In a separate interview with Hoda Kotb for TODAY, she dropped another bombshell, revealing that she and Will have been living apart since 2016. When asked if this essentially meant a divorce, Pinkett Smith confirmed, “Yes.”
As time has passed, it seems that Will Smith has offered apologies and continued his career. In December 2022, he released the period drama “Emancipation” and is reportedly working on a fourth installment of the “Bad Boys” film series with Martin Lawrence. Meanwhile, Chris Rock is set to direct a new project centered around Martin Luther King Jr.
Despite the challenges, Jada Pinkett Smith remains committed to supporting her husband. She has expressed her intention to stand by his side while also allowing him the space to navigate this situation independently. The aftermath of “The Slap” continues to cast a long shadow, not only in Hollywood but also in the personal lives of those involved.
The incident at the Oscars serves as a reminder that even in the glamorous world of showbiz, real-life drama and consequences can unfold, affecting not only the individuals involved but also their relationships and public perception.
