MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Jada Pinkett Smith sparks outrage after video seemingly shows her laughing at Chris Rock after Will Smith slap

Jada has her back to the person recording the video but she seems to rock with laughter as her husband Will Smith returns to the stage

The Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscar 'slapgate' affair shows no signs of dying down after a new video emerged that appeared to show Jada Pinkett Smith laughing after her husband Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on air during the 2022 Academy Awards.

Jada has her back to the person recording the video but she seems to rock with laughter as her husband Will Smith returns to the stage after slapping Chris Rock. Jada also seemed to keep staring at Chris Rock through her laughter, as the comedian appeared shellshocked by what had just happened. 

The Internet, as is its wont, was quick to pounce on Jada's apparent schadenfreude. With one social media poster asking 'wasn't she upset a minute ago?' Another poster offered a bit of philosophy that seemed to swell from a rather personal insight saying, "You gotta leave women like jada alone, because they will set you up for failure and then laugh at you. Might just be me, but sumn tell me she wouldn’t hold him down if he was ever locked."

Another person with an opinion on the matter wondered why she didn't appear to calm Will down: "What's more flucked [sic] up is he had to be calmed down by Tyler, Denzel and Brad and she just sat there never coming to his aid." 

One Tweeter offered this nugget: "2me it shows that this is ALL ON WILL. & his issues. Jada is still laughing after the hit at the Rock’s “Smack the shit out me" joke. Watch her head gesticulate in laughter. This isn’t a broken women needing her honor defended there. Smith solely took it on himself in rage."

To those who have been living under a rock for the last few days. Chris Rock -- who was presenting an award -- made a joke at Jada's expense saying he couldn't wait for GI Jane 2, a reference to Jada's almost-bald head. Her husband Will Smith initially laughed at the joke while Jada remained stony-faced. Will seems to have noticed her expression and walked on to the stage and slapped Chris Rock. He then returned to his seat and proceeded to shout, 'Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth' twice.   

Minutes later Will Smith recieved the Best Actor Oscar for his exceptional portrayal of Richard Williams in 'King Richard'. He was greeted with a standing ovation, and in his acceptance speech he apologized to the Academy and went into a long-winded reasoning behind his violent act. He did not, however, at the time apologize to Chris Rock.

The Academy, fo its part, has revealed that they did ask Smith to leave the premises, but he refused. "Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated," the Academy said in a statement on Wednesday. "While we would like to clarify that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."

The statement added: "Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days' notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response."

On March 28, Smith issued an apology to Chris Rock after celebrities and members of the public slammed him.

"Violence," he posted, "in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. 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. 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. I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will."

Around the same time, an alleged apology from Chris Rock to Jada Pinkett and Smith did the rounds on social media. However, Rock's team has said that it's a hoax and the statement is not from Rock. Senior Film Editor Rebecca Keegan tweeted, "Chris Rock has not yet issued a statement. There is a statement going around purporting to be from Rock that is not from him, per his team. It's the one that starts, 'As a comedian it can be difficult to understand...'"