Jada Pinkett feels Will Smith OVERREACTED by slapping Chris Rock, wishes outburst hadn't happened

"It was in the heat of the moment and it was him overreacting. He knows that, she knows that", an insider said

UPDATED APR 6, 2022

Jada wishes that Will hadn't gone physical on Rock at the Oscars (Getty Images)

Jada Pinkett Smith wishes husband Will Smith hadn't slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, sources claim. Apparently, the couple is in agreement that it was in the heat of the moment and that Smith overreacted.

An unnamed insider shared the couple's thoughts with Us Weekly, saying, "It was in the heat of the moment and it was him overreacting. He knows that, she knows that. They're in agreement that he overreacted." The insider added, "They agreed that Jada Pinkett Smith is not a wallflower nor one of these women that needs protecting. He didn't need to do what he did." The source also said that Will and Jada are very much protected in their own lives and do the absolute best they can to protect their loved ones.

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(L-R) Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

But despite the couple agreeing upon certain elements of the incident according to Us Weekly, other reports claim that bosses at Smith's talent agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), were divided over what to do with the Oscar-winner following the shocking on-stage slap. The incident was said to have created a dispute among CAA chiefs Bryan Lourd, Richard Lovett, and Kevin Huvane, who represent countless A-list stars in the media and sports, as the bankable star has turned into a pariah despite picking up the industry's biggest award.

According to a report by The Daily Beast, a furious debate took place within the agency over whether Smith should be dropped after Oscars 2022. The discussion even spilled over into a leadership retreat last week at the luxury oceanfront Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, which saw about 100 agents and talent executives gathered at the property, the industry's first large gathering since the pandemic. Also impacting the agency's decision is its prior association with disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein — a negative connection that executives are actively seeking to distance themselves from.

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

But these reports are strongly denied by CAA. A spokesperson for the agency told The Daily Beast: "There is no truth to any of it. It simply never happened." As of now, after his apology to Chris Rock and his resignation from the Academy, it looks like Smith will remain in the agency.

Meanwhile, many questions have been raised about Smith's future. Some don't think his career will be marred by the incident. Yesterday, speaking to The View, Whoopi Goldberg said that the incident will not end Smith's career. She said, "Some of Will Smith's future projects are in question. The question is, does he have a path back? Yes, of course he does. He'll be back, no worries. "