Chris Rock may have been ad-libbing the “G.I. Jane” joke that set off Will Smith.
The comedian’s glib comment about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head at the Oscars landed him with a swift slap from her husband Will Smith, but despite conspiracy theories, all signs point to the ceremony-stopping smack being an in-the-moment reaction, not a planned sketch gone wrong.
Instead, sources told Rolling Stone that Rock’s joke had not come up during rehearsals earlier in the week.
Given the stunned reaction from the audience at Sunday’s award show, Smith’s slap took everyone by surprise, even if Rock was able to take the hit without even buckling.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors has promised a full investigation into whether Smith broke their bylaws, and are expected to meet Wednesday to discuss any possible punishments, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Smith, who said sorry to the Academy and his fellow nominees during his best actor acceptance speech Sunday night, offered a personal apology to Rock Monday.
“My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. 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 wrote.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. 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.”
