| Author |
Message |
Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 10:09 am 
I agree, that's not Chris Rock. Unless he suddenly grew a beard and added an earring backstage. 
|
Pamy
Member
01-01-2002
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 10:10 am
Will was way out of line! Chris deserves an award for how composed he stayed. I have loved Will for years but it is going to take a long time for me to respect him ever again. I dont care about the argument he was defending his wife. Violence is never the answer.
|
Sugar
Member
08-15-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 11:31 am
Let's not forget that Jada has no problem speaking for herself. Despite her apparently being open about alopecia, not everyone knows (or cares). She could have simply said, not cool. Or been an adult celebrity and just not laughed, (she didn't), like her husband did. If you don't have a bit of thick skin in this business, then get out. The joke was neither mean nor funny. The look on her face was annoyance. There done. No need for violence and profanity.
At the very least, The Academy should revoke Will Smiths membership for 3 years during which he may not be nominated or attend any Academy functions including presenting the Best Actress award next year.
I'm so disgusted by his outburst and tinkle poor behavior, I would back the Academy rescinding his award. He wasn't "protecting" anybody, there was no danger, no call for slapping a person. If he had an issue, he could have spoken to Chris Rock at an appropriate time and place. Smith was a major jerk who created a cloud of disgrace over a night of joy for many other people. Shameful!
|
Cinnamongirl
Member
01-10-2001
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 11:46 am
I was actually shocked to see Will still in audience after that. He should have been escorted out. I didnt see the movie he was in but he obviously deserved the Oscar.. but he shouldnt have been there to accept it. And I was appalled that people stood and clapped for him. His speech was horrible. Vessel of love my ass.
I dont believe he was making fun of her alopecia.. he likely didnt know she had it. I didnt til last night but I dont follow hollywood that closely. Demi Moore rocked GI Jane. Jada could easily do a remake, shes gorgeous and fierce. She looked super confident last night but obvioulsy you just never know whats under the cover.
Will definitely laughed at first.. and Jada eye rolled
I felt so bad for QuestLove and for anyone winning after that fiasco. Thanks Will!! He ruined a lot of peoples night.
I sure hope hes not invited next year to give out the Best female actor award.. and I hope I dont see him doing the talk show circuit... I know I wont be watching.
Jaden, the son... tweeted out last night...
Jaden
@jaden
And That’s How We Do It
9:11 PM · Mar 27, 2022·
|
Jimmer
Board Administrator
08-29-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 11:59 am
But ... but ... but .... he wants to be a vessel of love.
What a sad way to detract and distract from what could have been a special moment for him and so many others.
I've enjoyed him in a number of movies but I haven't followed his career. I have no idea if this was an awful aberration in his behavior or not.
|
Sincebb1
Member
08-22-2005
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 12:10 pm
I was watching it live. It seemed like they slow-moed and cut out the part where he actually slapped Chris. It almost looked like Will went up and punched the air. Of course then they muted Wills screaming profanities at Chris. But you could clearly read his lips LOL
We were sitting there saying what just happened? We couldn't really tell. Of course in other countries they did not censor anything so we were able to Google it a few minutes later and saw the entire scene.
Our first question was. Where was security? If anybody from the audience approaches any celebrity on stage... Does not security block them?
Second question was, why was Will not immediately escorted our of the auditorium?
An anonymous inside source said that they were all assessing what had happened and had considered removing Will and would have, had he not been up to accept the award and was considered the FrontRunner.
The person also said that they were talking to Chris and assessing if he had any physical damage etc. This may be why Amy Schumer stepped in, because they were talking to Chris backstage. Apparently because Chris had no injuries and he did not want to press charges they let everything proceed.
In my opinion, Will should have been escorted out of the auditorium. His punishment should have been not being able to accept the award and not being able to attend the festivities afterwards. He then went to the Vanity Fair party and was seen dancing in the middle of the dance floor holding his Oscar with the DJ catering to him by playing his songs.
I do not think the Oscar should be taken away from him. I do think they missed the opportunity to give him a just punishment.
As far as injuries. We don't know that Chris Rock doesn't have extreme whiplash today. Or if with that open handed slap Will may have damaged Chris's eardrum in some way.
I also think that Will's apology was rather empty. More in fear of saving his reputation and his Oscar, especially since he did not apologize to the person that he actually hit.
Jada looked absolutely stunning with her head shaved. I was not aware at the time of her struggles with alopecia. Most of us didn't even understand what was even going on. I have to say that I have heard far worse things out of other comics mouths.
Anybody ever listen to Kathy Griffin? She crucifies celebrities in her routines. And not twice in 6 years as in Jada's case. But every week, and pretty cutting comments. Comedians make jokes all the time about people's appearances. Alopecia is a condition. It's not like she lost her hair because she had cancer.
Chris Rock has never been a favorite of mine. I didn't even like when Don Rickles made fun of people. I prefer comedians that comment about things other than people's appearances and that aren't mean spirited. My favorite? Steven Wright. His ironic humor is right up my alley. I even like Carrot Top better than Chris Rock.
But nothing excuses what Will Smith did. When you become a celebrity you also become a target. For the paparazzi's, for the comedians, for the gossip columns.
I was laughing at the comment that I read that this made Kanye's interaction with Taylor Swift at the music awards seem quite tame in comparison LOL
|
Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 12:12 pm
Well, as I noted, there are reports that after her annoyed look, Jada got more upset and started to cry. So that could be what triggered Will, plus his own baggage of course.
Perhaps Jada could have spoken for herself, or perhaps not if the reports are true.
I think the takeaway is that had Will been thinking clearly, he could have simply walked to the stage, taken the microphone, and made a powerful statement about making fun of someone who is ill. Instead we have this mess.
|
Egbok
Member
07-13-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 12:15 pm
I have read all your posts and I am one who condones Will Smith's awful behavior by hitting Chris Rock at the Academy Awards in front of everyone there and everyone watching on TV. I didn't realize the Oscars were airing and I happened upon them about 30 minutes before this incident happened. My mouth dropped open as I heard the sound of the smack on Chris Rock's face. I thought Chris Rock handled it well afterwards as he continued on with presenting. Will Smith has placed a dark mark on Oscar's history in my opinion.
|
Pamy
Member
01-01-2002
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 12:42 pm
Now I am also super disappointed in Will's' son.
|
Sugar
Member
08-15-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 12:44 pm
Alopecia is not considered a serious medical condition per webmd. Losing hair is not something most people want to have happen but despite it possibly being difficult and/or permanent it is not life threatening. It may bite but it is a liveable situation. One of those things a person has to accept and manage. No fun, but it is what it is.
I lost all my hair for many months re cancer. It didn't bother me. Some people don't handle hair loss well. Yes, mine grew back, differently, but I am no longer bald, much thinner than it once was, but that happens. Not exactly the same the situation, but hair loss nonetheless. It seems that some people who experience alopecia decide to shave their heads as the hair loss can be patchy.
Jada is a pretty person with or without her tresses. If that matters to anyone. I think she knows that. I find her personality very off putting. I'm not sure I believe that she was in tears seconds after rolling her eyes after the joke. True or not that doesn't mean you stride on stage and slap a person.
|
Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 1:34 pm
I don't consider comedy/comedians that/who seek to cause discomfort or to embarrass others to be entertaining or amusing, which is one of several reasons I was not watching.
I don't condone violence, so I am not happy with Will's physical assault. Since apparently Chris has targeted Nada in the past, I think he picked the wrong target and if he was just reading someone else's words, shame on him.
The award should stand, as it was for a performance and Will was eligible at the time of voting. Future sanctions of some type may well be appropriate.
I hate to downplay how another person feels about a condition, so I hesitate to say alopecia is no big deal, for Jada.
Jaden's statement was ill advised, though he has to have feelings about both parents being attacked in different ways.
|
Kookliebird
Member
08-04-2005
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 1:58 pm
I think of all the times that Meryl Streep was the subject of Oscar hosts ‘jokes’ and just laughed along with everyone.
|
Sincebb1
Member
08-22-2005
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 2:04 pm
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1089115636/oscars-2022-will-smith-acceptance-speech-chris-rock
Very well written IMHO
|
Chieko
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 2:25 pm
Smith's behavior was outrageous for all of the reasons all of you have already listed. Shouting out profanities at a live award show was also quite unforgivable.
A GI Jane joke is not cruel. Being compared to Demi Moore and a badass female navy seal just isn't that hurtful. Jada has never been a shrinking violet and if she was sensitive about her hair loss she could have easily worn a scarf or a beautiful turban like Caroline of Monaco did. She could have worn a wig. She chose to shave her head she didn't lose all of her hair. Many beautiful WOC choose to shave their heads and it is an elegant and regal look. I find it interesting that no one has mentioned her daughter Willow has the same hair style. I assumed they chose to look that way.
From a previous interview with Jada and her daughter, "Jada shared her story next, and she says to Haddish that her desire to shave her head was also "a mixture of a spiritual calling and dealing with hair loss. "Girl, at some point, you're hairline's going to be back here, [gestures to the back of her scalp], so we might as well just do it now," she says. Once the hair was all gone, Jada said she felt "more connected to myself and to the great divine in a very special way."
The discussion then turned to Willow, who confessed that getting up to do her hair every morning as a kid "just always felt just like a challenge or a chore." She continued: "And I just didn't feel beautiful. Like, I just felt like I looked like a Troll doll.As Willow said, "hair holds energy," and even though these women no longer have these vessels of ardor, they all look as gorgeous as ever with their buzzcuts."
https://www.allure.com/story/red-table-talk-tiffany-haddish-shaved-head-journey
This whole fiasco is much deeper than bald head triggers. The Smith family has a lot of angst to work out and should be doing it in private not for the world to see.
|
Jimmer
Board Administrator
08-29-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 3:57 pm
I’m almost more dismayed by the actions of the other a-listers there who proceeded to heartily applaud Will Smith’s acceptance speech (were many standing?) as if slapping someone and then making a feeble apology is applause worthy.
|
Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 4:38 pm
FWIW, Smith posted a no-excuse apology to Chris Rock on his IG account.
|
Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 4:41 pm
The thing we aren't all talking about, and probably should be, is that we have a society that has such unrealistic expectations for women's beauty, including their hair.
In my cancer groups, losing hair (even tho most will grow it back) is a devastating experience. Frequently moreso than losing a breast even tho they don't grow back (altho you can get implants).
It says something about our society that women feel so judged by their appearance, and feel like it's such an important part of who they are. Too important!
|
Sincebb1
Member
08-22-2005
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:08 pm
He apologized, but it was "I apologize, but..."
"Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."
|
Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:20 pm
I thought it was fine... there was a lot more to it:
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior 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,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize 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 apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
|
Sincebb1
Member
08-22-2005
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:37 pm
I did read the whole thing. The statement most surely was written by a publicist, I'm sure. It still had a "but" in it. That one sentence diluted the entire apology for me, in my opinion.
By the way if I was either Jada or Will I think Regina Hall's joke would have bothered me way more....?
|
Jimmer
Board Administrator
08-29-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:43 pm
The “but” diminished it but it’s a start. No one is perfect and he had an extremely bad moment in front of millions of people who are judging him. Like I said, he reacted in the moment. I’m more annoyed by the suck ups who had the time to think about it and enthusiastically applauded. Somber silence would have said a lot.
|
Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:51 pm
My money is riding on that apology being written in conjunction with his publicist, or his lawyer.
|
Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:52 pm
It is a start, though I think the Academy announced that they were looking into the situation to decide what should be done considering their rules and those of California (or the city), came first. His apology was reported not too long after the other statement was reported.
in between they reported that the particular joke that started this incident was NOT included in the practice session, which means it was off the cuff (or hidden), but the academy had no advance warning.
There were interviews with a group that supports those with alopecia and they did say that some of them have been bullied and they try to support each other. They wished that instead of the physical attack (or even after it) Will Smith would have made a statement about the condition.
|
Jimmer
Board Administrator
08-29-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 5:56 pm
It would have been wonderful if he’d asked for the microphone and made a statement. If only, but emotions get in the way.
Like I’ve said I don’t know Will Smith. I hate to judge him for one bad minute but that’s what we’ve got.
|
Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Monday, March 28, 2022 - 6:03 pm
Yeah, easier to think of that today..
|
