Slap Skeptics Call Shenanigans on Will Smith Oscars Stunt
The Oscars are out of touch. They are Hollywood’s way of patting themselves on the back while throwing a bone to their highfaluting fashion designer friends, and the events ratings have been in a steady decline for years on account of it.
We have wild wealth inequality and World War III; why would we wan to watch the 1% schmooze with one another in clothes costing tens of thousands of dollars?
So, as the annual grand gala approached, opinion pieces in major newspapers around the country began wondering if it was time to put the ceremony out of its misery.
But then, almost as if the Academy needed a slap in the face for freshness’ sake, they got a literal slap in the face.
In a stunning moment during the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday, “King Richard” star Will Smith hit Chris Rock after the stand-up comedian made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith, accepting the best actor Oscar in “King Richard,” later apologized to the film academy and his fellow nominees as tears streamed down his face. But he did not address Rock and attempted to justify what he did.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things,” Smith said as he was recognized for his role as Richard Williams, father of tennis greats Venus and Serena.
Twitter users weren’t buying it.
Skeptic at heart but think it was staged , doesn’t seem like a face someone would make with someone walking up to you ready to punch/slap you. Also Will is trying to hold in smiling/ laughter for a brief second after the slap , (blurry I know) of course could always be wrong. pic.twitter.com/7gjJhYTPKN
— Joshua Rivera (@Jriveee) March 28, 2022
Why Im calling BS: Ive seen plenty of cold-cocked slaps. Theyre not as deadly as the closed-fist variety, but the recipient usually hits the ground, unless its staged, of course, https://t.co/qYdnIQj7WZ
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) March 28, 2022
slap was staged
— nol (@nolshark) March 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/ProjectMememar/status/1508316452104855553?s=20&t=811xYPsaNPtsuKFro1W5Hg
Wrestling Twitter seeing film Twitter asking if the Will Smith slap was real or staged. pic.twitter.com/pcUKPefN2V
— Luke Owen D.A.D Vibes (@ThisisLukeOwen) March 28, 2022
In either case, the Oscars got their buzz back.