Academy Awards 2022: Twitter Reacts To Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock has got Twitter divided. Actor Will Smith left everyone shocked at the Academy Awards Ceremony 2022 as he first slapped and then lashed out at Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's condition. Soon after the episode, Twitter hashtags "Apologise" and "Jada" among others started trending on Twitter.

Academy Awards 2022 winner Will Smith was infuriated over Chris Rock's take on Jada Pinkett Smith's condition and slapped him. Chris Rock jokingly mentioned Pickett Smith's hairstyle and that he was looking forward to a G.I. Jane sequel. However, this did not settle in right with the actor and he lashed out with a slap upon him saying, "keep my wife’s name out of your (expletive) mouth."

Jada Pinkett Smith opened up about her hair loss condition alopecia areata in 2018. The alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes extensive hair loss and bald spots. "It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking in fear. That’s why I cut my hair, and why I continue to cut it," Pickett Smith mentioned.

Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock: Twitter Reactions

While some believe that the incident was staged, others criticise Will Smith for acting violently against Chris Rock. Yet others praised the actor for taking a stand for his wife and her struggles. In any case, the actor's reaction has left netizens in shock and confused.

A Twitter user wrote, "If this WASNT staged - I just stopped being a Will Smith fan." While another explained how Smith's reaction was appropriate saying, "He was sticking up for Jada who has alopecia ( which caused hair loss ). Chris joked about her lack of hair ( GI Jane II) i am proud of will for standing up for Jada who was obviously shocked by the comment."

A Twitter user by the name Sophia Bush pointed out that both parties were equally wrong on their respective parts. "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," she wrote.

Yet others called out the actor for toxic masculinity saying, "The only thing worse than taking a bad action is justifying taking a bad action. And justifying a bad action for five minutes, invoking God’s name in the process, and apologizing to everyone except the person you need to apologize to, is even worse. #ToxicMasculinity."

"I'm mad AF! #WillSmith should be ashamed of himself! He didn't even have the decency to apologize to #ChrisRock He should win an #Oscar for the performance he gave giving that acceptance speech! #Cancelled in my book!" wrote another user.

Suggested Reading: Will Smith Is Not A Hero For His Violent Response To Chris Rock’s Crass Joke

What is your take on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock? Tell us in the comments.