Photo: AFP
By Lee Callahan, Mornings on 96.5 Jack FM
So much positivity was happening last night - CODA - the movie about the deaf community was winning stuff, three women were hosting, and the Hispanic community were getting awards for West Side Story and Encanto.
Then Chris Rock came out, made a very insensitive joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head - she has alopecia.
Immediately, Will Smith jumps up walks up to Chris Rock and slaps him!
Then goes back to his seat and swears at him.
Then everyone is stunned after this big downer.
Then immediately more positive stuff when Quest Love wins best documentary for Summer of Soul about black artists performing in Harlem.
Then Will Smith wins best actor and says he’s on a mission to defend and protect people. He apologizes to the academy but not Chris Rock or Quest Love.
"What just happened" almost immediately started trending as ABC muted most of the interaction. Many fans are asking if the exchange was scripted or authentic.
Do you think Chris Rock knew about Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia? I really don't.
Here is the uncensored incident - Not Safe For Work: