Much like the infamous interruption of Taylor Swift by Kanye West at the 2009 VMAs, “The Slap” at the Academy Awards has become an enduring awards-show mishap that remains in the public eye. For those who may need a refresher, last year, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s appearance. Remarkably, over 18 months have passed since this event, and Jada Pinkett Smith, in a recent interview with People, reveals that she is still grappling with the aftermath.
Reflecting on the incident, she shared her initial disbelief, saying, “I thought, ‘This is a skit.'” It was as though she could not fathom that Will had actually struck Chris Rock. She only realized it wasn’t scripted when Will began to return to his seat. Her immediate concern was for her husband’s well-being, as she asked him, “Are you okay?”
Jada Pinkett Smith also delves deeper into the incident in her upcoming memoir, titled “Worthy,” scheduled for release on October 17. In a separate interview with Hoda Kotb for TODAY, she revealed that she and her husband have been living apart since 2016. When Kotb asked if it was essentially a divorce, Pinkett Smith confirmed, “Yes.”
“I thought, ‘This is a skit,’” “I was like, ‘There’s no way that Will hit him. It wasn’t until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realized it wasn’t a skit.” Pinkett Smith added that the first thing she asked him was, “Are you okay?”
As time has passed, it appears that Will Smith has offered apologies and moved forward with his career. In December 2022, he released the period drama “Emancipation” and is reportedly working on a fourth installment of the “Bad Boys” film series alongside Martin Lawrence. Chris Rock, on the other hand, is set to direct a new project centered around Martin Luther King Jr. Despite the challenges, Jada Pinkett Smith remains committed to supporting her husband, stating that she will be by his side while also allowing him the space to navigate this situation independently.
