How Jimmy Kimmel Addressed Will Smith's Oscars Slap During 2023 Ceremony

Hosting the Oscars for a third time, Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the 2023 ceremony with a monologue that touched on Will Smith's slap from last year's show. Find out what he said.

By Gabrielle Chung Mar 13, 2023 12:48 AMTags

Jimmy Kimmel didn't hold back when he kicked off the 2023 Oscars.

Per an unspoken tradition with Academy Awards emcees, the comedian—as the host of movie's biggest night for the third time—used his opening monologue to make a few good-spirited jokes about A-listers in the audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. On March 12, Kimmel kindly took aim at Nicole Kidman—joking that the actress "has finally been released from that abandoned AMC" in reference to her widely meme'd ad—and Seth Rogen and Steven Spielberg, who the 55-year-old called the "Joe and Hunter Biden of Hollywood."

Although Will Smith was not in the crowd due to his 10-year Oscars ban for slapping Chris Rock at last year's ceremony, Kimmel nonetheless referenced the infamous incident involving the King Richard actor in his speech.

Remarking how five Irish actors were nominated at this year's show, Kimmel quipped that it meant "the odds of another fight on stage just went way up."

He went on to note that "strict policies" have been put in place in case of another potential altercation. "If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor," he joked, referencing how Smith won an award following the slap. "And if any of you get mad at a joke and decide you want to come up here and get jiggy with it, it's not going to be easy."

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According to Kimmel, any potential disruptors will have to get through guests like Creed "heavyweight champ" Michael B. Jordan, martial arts legend Michelle YeohThe Amazing Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield and The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal in the crowd before stepping on stage.

"Tonight, we have no time for shenanigans," he added. "This is a celebration for everyone here."

Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images

Since the slap, which was spurred by a dig aimed at Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith, the Academy has made moves to address potential surprises in the future. Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recently confirmed that a "crisis team" was put together for the 2023 show.

"We've run many scenarios, so it is our hope that we will be prepared for anything that we may not anticipate right now but that we're planning for just in case it does happen," he explained in a February interview with Time. "Because of last year, we've opened our minds to the many things that can happen at the Oscars."

As for Smith, he resigned from the Academy and issued a public apology to Rock in the aftermath of the slap. "Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally," he said in a March 2022 statement. "I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness"

Smith added, "I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world."

For more star sightings from the 2023 Oscars, keep scrolling.

Cara Delevingne

In Elie Saab Couture with Bulgari jewelry

Angela Bassett

In Moschino

Salma Hayek

In Gucci

Mindy Kaling

In Vera Wang

Jamie Lee Curtis

In Dolce & Gabbana

Rihanna

In Alaïa with Moussaieff jewelry 

Lady Gaga

In Versace with Tiffany & Co. jewelry 

Melissa McCarthy

In Christian Siriano

Cate Blanchett

In Louis Vuitton

Elizabeth Banks

In Vivienne Westwood with Pomellato jewelry 

Rooney Mara

In Alexander McQueen with Fred Leighton jewelry 

Kate Hudson

In Louis Vuitton

Janelle Monáe

In Vera Wang with REZA jewelry

Emily Blunt

In Valentino with Chopard jewelry 

Michelle Williams

In Chanel Couture with Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Michael B. Jordan

In Louis Vuitton with Tiffany & Co. jewelry 

Andrew Garfield

In Fendi with David Yurman and OMEGA jewelry

Halle Berry

In Tamara Ralph with Pomellato jewelry 

Michelle Yeoh

In Christian Dior Couture with Moussaieff jewelry 

Ke Huy Quan

In Giorgio Armani with OMEGA and Fred Leighton jewelry 

Nicole Kidman

In Armani Privé with OMEGA jewelry

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

In Dolce & Gabbana with Tag Heuer jewelry 

Samuel L. Jackson

Idris Elba

Sabrina Dhowre Elba

Brooks Nader

In LaQuan Smith

Jessica Chastain

In Gucci

Jessie Buckley

In Rodarte with Chopard jewelry 

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

In Dolce & Gabbana

Paul Mescal

In Gucci

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Head to E! Online's Oscars page for a full recap of the 2024 Academy Awards.