Will Smith Addresses Chris Rock Altercation in Oscars Acceptance Speech: ‘Love Will Make You Do Crazy Things’
Less than an hour after Will Smith’s altercation with Chris Rock on the Oscars stage — following Rock’s joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith — the King Richard actor won for Best Actor in a Leading Role as the titular Richard Williams.
When the nominees were read, Smith was in his seat and his eyes looked red. After he was announced as the winner, he had a moment with his wife and they kissed. He received a standing ovation as he took the stage for his acceptance speech.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he began as he got emotional. “In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses that played Venus and Serena.
“I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse, you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you gotta be able to have people disrespecting you, and you gotta smile and you gotta pretend like that’s OK,” he continued. “But Richard Williams and what I loved — thank you D, Denzel [Washington] said to me a few minutes ago, ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.’ It’s like I want to be a vessel for love.”
He went on to thank Venus, Serena, and the entire Williams family for entrusting him with their story. “I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern. I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award, it’s not about winning an award for me, it’s about bring able to shine a light” on the cast, crew, and Williams family, he said. “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
He concluded by talking about his mother, thanking the Academy for the honor and with “I hope the Academy invites me back.” At one point, the broadcast showed the Oscars logo instead of Smith or the audience.
Conversation23 Comments
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C
Chris was there, hired to be a host and comedian. He was doing his job—-did not deserve to be struck. Will Smith is a bully. It’s appalling.
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O
A bully!? They are very similar in height and size, I would not consider that a bully. If my wife was sick and a comedian talked trash about her, you better believe I would act.
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P
Will Smith is 6’2” and over 200lbs. Chris Rock is 5’10” and 168lbs, not close to the same size. Anyone else would have been arrested.
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R
A better man would have explained why the joke was cruel not go and slap him. Show respect not do to others what they do to you.
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B
Did he apologize to Chris? I hope so. Chris was NOT disrespecting Will or Jada.
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O
The "GI Jane" was directed at his wife Jada.
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He is tired of people talking trash about their relationship, I commend him.
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O
Was not cool, especially because she has an autoimmune disease, and had to shave her head. She has a disease! Not cool!
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C
Chris is a comedian— hired to tell jokes. That’s his job. Didn’t deserve to be bullied and hit in stage. Nope. That’s what wasn’t cool.
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O
That is not a comedian's job, to talk trash when someone is fragile!?
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L
SERIOUS QUESTION: Are you old enough to remember all the Demi Roasting when GI Jane came out? Does anyone under 50 remember GI Jane at all?
Jada rocks the look; Demi not so much. And do yourself a favor and Google "John Callahan," and after reading his bio, click on over to images and check out his cartoons. People with Disabilities laugh at ourselves. My nickname, The Chick with the Stick, was given to me in a bar at a point in my life I was still UBER sensitive about needing a cane at such a young age, and I OWN that nickname to this day. Had my BF decided to deck the person who came up with it, it would have become shameful. Will deprived Jada of being able to OWN that nickname...or roll her eyes at a bad joke from a roast-style comedian and move on. And now, the whole internet is debating her private business and telling her how she should feel. Which probably is more embarrassed by her husband's behavior than actually offended by that lame joke. That most of the audience is too young to really "get."
If Will felt the need to defend his wife, he should have done so later, off camera. Instead, he sullied what otherwise would have been the greatest moment of his life. And possibly put himself on the "Cancel List." And robbed himself of headlines he'd wished for his whole life, and instead have that forever associated with thug-like behavior. The "West Philly born and raised" are already flying. And whose fault is that?
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Need to update my reply. EVERYTHING I said about disability stands, but after being educated about what Jada suffers, she is using a clinical term to describe a NORMAL part of aging, and she is likely experiencing peri-menopause, rather than any TRUE auto-immune condition. Menopausal women experience EITHER hair loss or hair growth in the form of "whiskers," and it is a natural part of the human experience, along with other discomforts like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. IOW, at 50, her ride is just beginning. 😉
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He made fun of Jada’s medical condition. What do you not understand?
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🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
Assault is not forgivable. If Mr.Rock is smart he will have Smith arrested for assault.
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O
Come on! That is silly! He slapped him, not a closed fist, and deserved it! Chris took it like a champ. No need to get the law involved.
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I mean he did make fun of his wifes medical condition
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G
Will Smith is a phony, that wasn't love, he initially laughed at the joke and then glanced at Jada and saw she wasn't happy, then with internalized guilt and shame over the fact he found it funny, plus some celebrity status extra inflated ego, tried to cleanse his shame by violently humiliating Chris Rock. These are very wealthy privileged professional entertainers at the most public platform possible, (and can expect some humor targeted to deflate their self importance and egos) , not half potted pals at a picnic, where it still wouldn't be okay to overreact to an insensitive joke. If the AMPAS doesn't condone violence, then why did they allow Will Smith his moment of glory, that rambling acceptance speech, where he tried to rationalize his shameful behavior with the film's central character and theme, that they were their to celebrate. I'm guessing if his mother was actually there, instead of her preferred location for viewing his misbehavior, I don't doubt she would have given him a swift kick in the ass.
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I used to have a lot of respect for Will Smith. That one action lost it all for me. I thought he had way more class than that
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I watched the awards and thought it was a joke because throughout the evening, everyone seemed to be joking with one another. Will Smith laughed at Chris Rock’s comment and I noticed Jada frowning. Physical confrontation is NOT okay!!!! I grew up with a parent who was physical and we as parents should not teach our children that physical violence is acceptable. I was saddened with the Smith’s son’s comment as a result of his Dad’s behavior.
We are ALL human and we are ALL imperfectly perfect BUT, keep you hands to yourself.
Elaine from Boston area
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Sorry… not sorry!
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G
Great acting job. Obsessive angry guy. OOps Played just played himself.
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The entire event from red carpet hosts to show hosts …worst I have seen in my life. I am 58 and watch it every year. Won’t watch next year, hire talent….not social issues.
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Chris goes too far sometimes and other peoples expense. Will is going through a lot these days, he's human just like everybody else. So if you say something that causes a reaction you better be prepared for the aftermath!
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