Every year since 1929, Hollywood’s beau monde gathers to recognize the industry’s top talent.  Every year, we join them through our t.v.’s.  We sit on the edge of our seats as we await the top awards.  And on the rare occasion, we gasp because of those shocking moments that happen in-between presentations.  

Last night was like that.  Chris Rock came out to present the award for best documentary feature.  As usual, he took shots at some of the attendees, but the night took a turn when he joked about Jada Pinkett Smith—actress and wife of Will Smith. 

As Rock joked about Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle—who has struggled with alopecia since at least 2018—Will Smith got up from his seat, marched toward Rock, struck him across the face, and returned to his seat.  From there, he shouted profanity-laden commands at Rock:  “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**** mouth!”  

Attendants were shocked.  Twitter users went into a frenzy.  Moments later, Smith won the best actor award for his performance in King Richard, a film about the rise of tennis superstar siblings Venus and Serena Williams and the role their father played; Smith’s first Academy Award.

In his speech, Smith apologized to the Academy, never to Rock.  His speech contained overtures of family, love, and gratitude.  This, of course, was overshadowed by the events of moments before.  At the afterparty, Smith was seen dancing to his music alongside his large posse.  An outsider would have thought the incident was an act.  

Later that night, the LAPD announced Rock would not be pursuing any charges against Smith.  
But people around the world, including some of the attendants, have voiced both support and condemnation of the event.  One of the Smiths’ children, Jaden, tweeted, “[t]hat’s how we do it.”  Others, like the Academy, expressed their disapproval hours later, through a statement denouncing the act of violence.

Last night’s incident was inexcusable for both parties.  It is unknown whether Rock knew about Pinkett Smith’s condition, but ignorance is not necessarily excusable.  At the same time, Smith was wrong to strut toward Rock and strike him.  Of course, no repercussions, as of Monday the 28th, have ensued from Smith’s actions.