The events of this year's Ocsar's ceremony will stay in the mind for many years to come. And unfortunately, the events of the 94th annual ceremony will not be remembered for the right reasons.
Past blunders are still recalled such as the 2018 La La Land/Moonlight mix-up when Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced the wrong Best Picture winner, but the talking point of this year's event will most certainly be Will Smith's 'altercation' with Chris Rock. Smith took a swing at Rock following the comedian's joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut. The Academy has made a statement.
Taking to Twitter, The Academy, has said it "does not condone violence of any form". Following an altercation between best actor winner Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock, the statement continued: “Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”
READ MORE: Nottingham reacts to Will Smith slap at the Oscars ceremony
Some Twitter users were not impressed. One replied: "You watched and broadcast a live assault to millions of people around the world, then awarded a man who committed said assault immediately afterwards without removing him from the building or having him arrested for the crime. That's the definition of condoning the violence."
Another wrote: "The joke was inappropriate and I think the healthiest behaviour for Mr. Smith would have been to offer his wife his arm and leave the room. And even more, to refuse the prize until the proper apologies of the host. There was a lot of tension there."
Will Smith appeared to punch or slap Chris Rock in the face on stage after referring to Jada Pinkett Smith’s buzzcut, Rock said: “Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2.” Jada Pinkett Smith has previously opened up about her struggles with hair loss.
Later at the event Will Smith won the award for his performance in King Richard and used his acceptance speech to apologise, saying: “I want to apologise to the Academy, I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees. I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award, it’s not about winning an award for me, it’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people.”
He continued: “Art imitates life, I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams, but love will make you do crazy things.” Will Smith’s son, Jaden, has tweeted: “And That’s How We Do It” . Jaden told his Twitter followers his father’s acceptance speech for best actor at the 94th Academy Awards made him cry. He tweeted: “My Dads Speech Made Me Cry” and added a selfie of him in a red suit and sunglasses.
