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"CODA" has won best picture at the 94th Academy Awards but it's not what people are talking about after the ceremony.

The center of attention is the physical altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock that took place after the comedian made a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

When the actor returned to his seat, he threw a tirade of f words at Rock who was visibly stunned by the exchange, but managed to keep it professional and continued on with his presentation.

The incident baffled the audience and viewers alike, and many are trying to figure out if it was part of the show or not.

Watch the exact moment Will Smith went on stage to smack Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife

Image credits: REUTERS

After the awards show ended, the Academy of Motion Pictures issued a statement on Twitter

Image credits: TheAcademy

#1

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Jaguarundi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearing, her husband, Dr. Patrick Graves Jackson, gave her his full support and quietly comforted her. Like a good man should. They both demonstrated grace under pressure during this harrowing process.

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Reportedly, the conflict was not staged nor was it part of the show. It occurred after Rock pointed out Jada Pinkett Smith in the crowd and said, "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," referring to her bald head.

At first, Will Smith appeared to be laughing but Jada, who was diagnosed with alopecia in 2018 and has been vocal about her struggles about not being able to grow her hair, rolled her eyes at the joke and Will then walked up to Rock on stage and smacked him.

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Sum Guy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, that's how you've been conditioned to react when someone is making fun of you in a public setting, no matter if you agree with it or not... but when he saw his wife, his actual feeling came out

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Hawkmoon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you watch the start of the video, initial reaction of Smith was laughing, while his wife was clearly not. Ressorting to violence just after laughing, worse walking quietly to your target and then out of nowhere punching him, is not "the heat of the moment"

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Scagsy
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone did that in any decent theatre they would be forcefully ejected on to the street. Unless it was staged. The audience numbers have been falling for some time. Surely, Hollywood would not be so cynical. Or would they?

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About 40 minutes later, Smith won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance in King Richard, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. He referenced the moment while accepting it.

"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said.

"I've been 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 got to be able to take abuse. And have people talk crazy about you. People disrespect you and smile like it's OK."

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RaroaRaroa
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Security should have been called to escort him out. They would have in a less privileged environment.

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Péter Rózsahegyi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy who makes a joke on somebody's illness is not a comedian but an insensitive jerk.

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RadiatorAnkleSpider
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the whole culture of award show hosts is vile and toxic. They are paid to stand up there and roast unsuspecting celebrities…

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"I wanna apologize to the academy, I wanna apologize to all my fellow nominees," Smith said with tears in his eyes during his Oscar speech.

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He did not, however, mention Rock's name in his apology.

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Alanna Elric
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Tasteless joke" You can condemn Will Smith's actions without downplaying how inappropriate and cruel the joke was.

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DennyS (denzoren)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, Harvey Weinstien (i honestly don't care how his name is spelt) used to sit and get thanked constantly while being an absolute scum of a human....so not so strange from Hollywood's elitist.

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The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that they are aware of the incident and that Rock had declined to file a police report.

"If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report," the police explained.

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nurit Cohen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't make jokes about it or Will Smith might take offense and hit you

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Sum Guy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Chris rock owes Jada an apology for making fun of her sickness. That's why Chris isn't filling any charges, he knows he f****d up

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Trillian
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This! Just because people laughed doesn't make his "joke" okay. I really don't like this tradition of making fun of people this way because there are so many lines getting crossed and people don't really have a choice but to play along. That is just wrong.

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They were both wrong. Insensitive joke that took it a bit too far and assault in that situation isn't justified. There were other means to make a point and "hit" back.

KIKIDEEPLEEZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll give you a --clue--why Alanna?'--cuz she's a dumb--cun ty whore, who thinks SHE"S ABOVE IT ALL'--Like YOU!"--

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Susie Elle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Smiths defense; it's not impossible to first laugh at a joke and then later realize the insensitivity of the joke. His initial reaction could've been out of shock, not amusement.

KIKIDEEPLEEZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes Susie, when some 1. HITS or SLAPS'--you're kid 4 joking around, YOU remember that!!!!!!'--TRUTH

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Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man laughed because that's how you're conditioned as an actor. Laugh and act like everything is okay even if you don't agree with it... but him seeing his wife took away that veil of calm

Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that a room full of professional actors laughed doesn't make a cruel, inconsiderate joke funny, doesn't justify physical violence either.

That pigeon ->
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cant imagine how his wife felt when the whole room laughed at her. Pretty sad.

pat morrell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an erudite woman who has strong opinions and voices them.. Why on earth does she need a man to champion her and attack someone to defend her honour? Mrs.Smith has never been shy of letting the world know all about her life and her foibles and her illness. It was a disgraceful show of machismo and so last century.Pathetic!

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No you can't have my name
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because people laughed doesn't make it okay. Making jokes specifically to target one specific person's illness / insecurity and getting the entire damn room to laugh along with you? That's just getting everyone in the room to go along with your bullying.

usuario qualquer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everybody laughing at a comment that belittles another human being doesn't make it right. On the contrary, it only shows how we need to talk about verbal abuse and the so many ways it is disguised as humor in order to benefit a bunch of sadists.

usuario qualquer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the whole room really laughed at such a stupid joke they either 1 Are fake and are used to laugh at every bad joke just to be "polite" with the idiot, ops, I mean, the comedian. 2 They are sadists and need to see someone being humiliated to get a high.

K Reade
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Will Smith needs to be thankful Jimmy Carr wasn't there telling jokes.

Rebecca Erickson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely not okay either way. They showed kids last night that it's okay to settle issues with physical violence and that it's okay to make fun of people for medical conditions.

usuario qualquer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, think with me. People who are bullied usually feel alone, they ask parents, friends, the principal for help, but they are left unattended because it'a just a joke after all. What solution you propose to this very problem. History has proved that "dealing with it", ignoring, raising above doesn't work as we have so many cases of serious depression, body dismorphic disorder and many suicides as the consequence of prolonged verbal and psychological abuse. My guess is that people are getting desperate because all their limits have been tested.

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Kill-Bunny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the ones who say that Smith laughed from the joke. Please, remember that it's a live broadcast, many stars, especially ones in the front seats, has tasks to do, like - laugh when the joke is made, be surprised were you "should" be surprised and so on. His laugh was most likely the thing he was coached to do for the script and then he realized that Rock went of the script and what he actually have said.

backatya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And floyd got stupid people, who condone criminals, to give him the most expensive funeral for a criminal drug addict resisting arrest

Issey
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how people go after Chris Rock now, totally disregarding that comedians making jokes about certain topics literally helps making them less taboo? I have severe clinical depression and my friends often make fun about how I overthink things or take things personally even if they were not even directed at me. And you know what? I love them for it! Being able to joke about something like this is freeing, because it NORMALISES it. Alopecia is not a crippling disease or a disability. So mentioning G.I. Jane in that context? Please, that is tame.

olx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

nah g that is NOT the same situation. im glad your friends are good about it. this lil b*tchboy wasnt.

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Bob Standen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a set up by both of them. Rock knows what is going to happen, he has his hands behind his back and leans forward to cop the open handed (pulled) slap. The Oscars were tanking for ratings, this got 50% more viewers. We all miss Ricky Gervais he's the best.

CJ Kelly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if those tests were because Jada gave him a word or two about how wrong his actions were.

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Marco Hub-Dub
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need a discourse on what is appropriate in comedy jokes. Rock has been going after her and all the Smiths incessantly. Making fun of Shumer for stealing jokes is edgy comedy. Making fun of an auto-immune disease or any body/health issue may eventually require a slap upside the head. Especially when more appropriate requests to stop have fallen on deaf ears. Will shouldn’t have done it to us viewers and the Oscars, but probably should have given the weasel a wake up call earlier on his harassment campaign. And what happened to CR? He used to be funny on his early stand up days. Now he’s a commercial actor or product shucker & tells weak sauce jokes. He’s worse than the comedians booked to perform on Disney cruises.

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Later, Smith said actor Denzel Washington pulled him aside after the incident, telling him, "At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you."

Meanwhile, Smith's son Jaden tweeted, "And That's How We Do It."

#18

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Shelli LotusFlower
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, this horrible event did show the world that Nicole Kidman’s face can move.

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#20

😅
#memes #willsmith #oscars #chrisrock #funnymemes #jokes #comedy #sarcasm

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Kimi Tomminello
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣 yup, that's all I've seen this morning. These exact 2 pictures.

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DUN DUN (she/her)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can see his entire life, career flashing before his eyes in this meme

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know that the votes were already there but he shouldn't be awarded yesterday! They should give it to the second runner up! We shouldn't approve those behaviours and the production of the awards should have better reflexes in these situations

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Kimi Tomminello
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This- nobody cares anymore. Rich actors congratulating other rich actors for being rich actors is not something a lot of people enjoy anymore.

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CJ Kelly
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he handled it pretty freaking well. Besides not apologizing to Jada for being out of line...

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Rijkærd
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

JayZ be like...I got 99 problems but a slap from Will Smith aint one of them...

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#40

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Pattycakes 77
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After seeing that slap I can't help but keep replaying that Dave Chappelle skit with Charlie Murphy and Rick James in my head.

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Scagsy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ran on stage when he had finished laughing at the joke, that is. He's gone down in my estimations for what that's worth. He was one of my fave actors too. Shame.

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#53

The Oscars And The Media
😂😂😂👊👊👊
#willsmith #chrisrock #chrisrockvswillsmith #willsmithpuncheschrisrock

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j. tru
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only we could get more people to tune into the oscars...but how? SCRIPTED. WAKE UP PEOPLE. HES AN ACTOR

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Mama Panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He should have apologized to Chris as well. What he did was uncalled for and unprofessional. I lost a lot of respect for Will tonight

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