There has been a lot of debate around whether Will Smith was justified in slapping Oscars host Chris Rock, with the subject dividing presenters on Good Morning Britain
Susanna Reid criticised Will for the incident, which happened in front of a galaxy of celebrities on Sunday, March 27. But co-presenter Richard Madeley justified it as a moment of 'flawed humanity'.
During the ceremony, Everybody Hates Chris actor Chris Rock roasted individual celebrities in attendance, including at Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia. Referencing Jada's buzzcut, Chris said: "Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2."
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Will, who scooped his first Oscar after the following altercation, then stormed on stage to slap Chris across the face in front of an open-mouthed audience, The Mirror reports. Once he was back in his seat, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air star shouted: "Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth."
Jada's condition is not secret. The actress has been candid about having alopecia since 2018, and made the decision to shave her head last year.
During this morning's episode of Good Morning Britain, presenter Susanna Reid condemned Will's reaction to Chris' comment, despite the sensitive nature of his remark. The former University of Bristol student said: "He doesn't merit a slap. It's not okay, sorry, slapping people is not okay."
Richard Madeley, Susanna's co-presenter, played devil's advocate by suggesting that Chris' joke was perhaps a step too far for Jada, given the sensitive nature of it. Richard said: "I'm not justifying what he did but I can see why 50 per cent of our viewers think it's okay. We saw a moment of flawed humanity."
Susanna then argued: "Also this point about, 'I was defending her'. Yes if she was being assaulted, I understand, but not over a joke.
"If they condone it and say there was a justification for it, they're saying it's alright that if someone says something and then gets hurt, it's okay." she added, referring to the Academy.
Ranvir Singh then waded in, saying that she hopes her young son does not see the footage of Will hitting Chris across the face. Richard said: "We're being very judgemental, I'm not sure what I think."
Referencing the fact that Will initially laughed at the joke, Susanna then said: "I don't think it was the alopecia that made Will do it."
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