Rocky Road: All about Chris Rock and Will Smith's long-brewing feud
Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars left viewers and audiences in an intense state of shock. However, some even think the comedian had it coming. This is because the 2022 Oscars were not the first time that Rock has tried to antagonize Smith.
Owing to all the jokes being made at Smith's expense by Rock, a fuming feud has been brewing between the two for at least the last five years. When Chris Rock was hosting the Oscars back in 2016, he stirred trouble for the first time when he used Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith as humor material in his opening monologue.
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As Rock started his piece, he spoke on diversity and connected the topic to Jada. He said how Jada boycotted the Oscars just because her husband Will did not receive a nomination for his movie 'Concussion'. Chris said, "Jada got mad, said she's not coming. Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn't invited." He continued, "You get mad. It's not fair that Will was this good and didn't get nominated. It's also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for Wild Wild West."
He concluded, "This year at the Oscars, things are going to be a little different. In the 'in memoriam' package, it's just going to be black people who were shot by the cops on their way to the movies. Yes, I said it, all right?"
That time, Smith decided it was best to remain silent despite TMZ approaching him. However, this is not the route Rock took. He did not stop there and kept adding more fuel to the fire. In 2018, Rock publicly commented on Smith's social media targeting his previous marriage. Will Smith shared a post to wish his ex-wife Sheree Zampino on her birthday. However, Chris Rock left a comment on Smith's post that left an impact.
Smith shared a photo where he, Sheree, and their son Trey were seen together and captioned it, "'Happy Bday, @shereezampino. #BestBabyMamaEver! :-) I Love You, Ree-Ree." On which, Rock commented, "Wow. You have a very understanding wife." Meanwhile, Sheree wrote on the post, "Don't hate." The post and comment also made the headlines.
However, Smith had enough during the 2022 Oscars. When Rock made a "GI Jane" joke about his wife Jada due to her shaved head due to alopecia, Will Smith walked to the stage and slapped him across the face. He was clearly quite emotional and after walking back to his seat, he said, "Keep my wife's name out of your f**king mouth." After this, the couple held hands throughout the entire ceremony.