Oscar Officials Confirm Will Smith and Chris Rock’s Altercation Wasn’t Planned

After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars 2022 ceremony, officials confirmed the moment was not scripted.

By Kelly Gilmore Mar 28, 2022 4:10 AMTags
Watch: Will Smith SLAPS Chris Rock at Oscars 2022

And the award for most shocking moment goes too…

If you were watching the 2022 Oscars, or are simply a human on the Internet, you already know Will Smith had a heated confrontation with Chris Rock during the awards show. And, if you were wondering, it definitely wasn't planned.

"Someone who works for the Oscars told me that Chris Rock was not interrupted by Will Smith at rehearsals yesterday," Variety's executive editor Ramin Setoodeh tweeted. "It was not supposed to happen. It was real. #Oscars"

While presenting, Chris made a jab about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, saying, "Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it, all right?"

Will then jumped to defend his wife, who suffers from alopecia. On stage, the King Richard star slapped Chris across the face before returning to his seat and shouting, "Keep my wife's name out of your f--king mouth!"

Coming to his own defense, Chris noted "Wow, dude. It was a G.I. Jane joke," to which Will shouted back, "Yes, keep my wife's name out of your f--king mouth!"

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Seemingly in shock, Chris then noted "That was a greatest night in the history of television."

Later, when Will accepted the trophy for Best Actor, he addressed the altercation.

Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

"I want to apologize to the Academy," Will said. "I want to apologize to all of my fellow nominees," adding, "Love will make you do crazy things. I'm hoping that the Academy invites me back."

E! News has reached out to The Academy for comment.