Unless you’ve been living under a rock or avoiding social media, actor Will Smith slapping presenter Chris Rock at Sunday’s Oscar ceremony after telling a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith starring in a “G.I. Jane” sequel has dominated the news cycle. We’ve heard from the Academy reviewing the incident and there was a calculated apology from Smith that finally mentioned Rock. The actress is speaking up with a cryptic but positive message on social media.
Pinkett Smith has now taken to her official Instagram account to post a simple message:
“This is the season for healing and I’m here for it.”
READ MOREL Will Smith Formally Apologizes While Academy Announces Formal Review
In the Ridley Scott-directed movie, Demi Moore‘s character shaves her head to fit in with her male peers as they endure the brutal and exhausting training to join the Navy SEALs, one of the toughest and most elite military groups in the world. While the joke was certainly outdated and seen as insensitive given Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, Rock’s intention maybe have been to highlight how badass Pinkett Smith looked.
Then again, if you have to spend this much time explaining a joke it might not be funny.
Some have pointed out that the show’s security team should have reacted as soon as Smith attempted to approach the stage, as they would have been made aware of any bit and could have prevented the slap to begin with. But Smith is still an adult and should have behaved as such. Comedians shouldn’t have to worry about physical altercations for telling a joke, even if it’s tasteless.
It seems unlikely that Smith is going to see any real consequences from the Academy as Rock hasn’t really signaled he’s upset hasn’t commented at all. I guess we’ll have to wait to see if anything happens or if all simply blows over once the outrage reduces from a boil.
