Oscars 2022: 'Ugliest Oscar moment ever' - celebrities react to the Will Smith slap

28 March 2022, 10:22 | Updated: 29 March 2022, 11:05

The 94th Academy Awards was definitely one for the history books - but it may stay in the minds of many for the wrong reason.

Despite the night seeing the first streaming-only film to win best picture, actor Troy Kotsur become the first deaf man to bag an Oscar and Ariana DeBose become the first openly queer actress of colour to take home an award - this year's ceremony is likely to be remembered for Will Smith slapping Chris Rock in the face.

Smith, who went on to win the best actor award for his role in King Richard, whacked the comedian after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's short haircut.

The 53-year-old then returned to his seat and shouted twice: "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth."

Pinkett Smith has alopecia and has openly spoken about her experience with hair loss in the past.

The moment has been met with mixed reactions online, with one describing it as the "ugliest Oscar moment ever".

Filmmaker Rob Reiner tweeted his thoughts on the incident and called for Smith to apologise.

"Will Smith owes Chris Rock a huge apology," he wrote. "There is no excuse for what he did. He's lucky Chris is not filing assault charges.

"The excuses he made tonight were b******t."

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The Good Place actress Jameela Jamil has come to Will Smith's defence, writing: "A man big enough to absolutely floor him, slapped him softly enough that Chris barely moved because he made fun of his wife's alopecia on a world stage."

Will Smith's youngest son, Jaden, reacted within minutes of the ceremony ending, simply saying: "And that's how we do it."

One Tree Hill actress Sophia Bush condemned the incident, pointing out that both men were wrong. "They both need a breather," she wrote.

American comedian Kathy Griffin raised concerns about "who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theatres".

Rosemary's Baby actress Mia Farrow was quick to jump to Chris Rock's defence, saying: "It was just a joke."

Star Wars legend Mark Hamill described the slap as the "ugliest Oscar moment ever".

While The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, didn't condemn Smith personally, it did say it "does not condone violence of any form".

Queen & Slim actress Jodie Turner-Smith reacted by saying: "I have second hand embarrassment for all involved."

After the ceremony, Kotsur spoke to Sky News about the slap saying: "Whatever happened tonight, whatever situation happened, it was personal right, and it really showed that family should be cherished no matter what the situation is."

Booker prize author Bernardine Evaristo tweeted: "Only the fifth black man in nearly 100 years to win an Oscar for male lead, and the first in 16 years, resorts to violence instead of utilising the power of words to slay Chris Rock.

"Then he claims God and Love made him do it.

However, the negative feedback didn't seem to stop Smith from enjoying his Oscar win.

He turned up to the Vanity Fair afterparty smiling alongside Pinkett Smith and their children - Trey, Jaden, and Willow.

Multiple videos have surfaced on social media, showing him dancing to his songs Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It and Summertime with his Academy Award in hand at the party.

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(c) Sky News 2022: Oscars 2022: 'Ugliest Oscar moment ever' - celebrities react to the Will Smith slap