After the intense altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock, Smith’s publicist Meredith O. Sullivan came by him at the commercial break to discuss what had just happened, which makes us think this wasn’t a scripted bit (via Variety). Diddy, who was the next presenter, addressed the situation by saying, “Will and Chris, we’re going to solve this like family. Right now we’re moving on with love. Everybody make some noise.”
It turns out this wasn’t the first time Rock had said something about Smith’s wife. In 2016, Rock hosted the ceremony and joke about Jada Pinkett Smith boycotting it that year because of the lack of diversity. “Jada says she’s not coming. Protesting. I’m like, ‘Ain’t she on a TV show? … Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited! Oh, that’s not an invitation I would turn down” (via The Hollywood Reporter). In 2018, Rock had also commented on Smith’s birthday tribute to his ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, saying “Wow…You have a very understanding wife” (via E! Online). History seems to have repeated itself but maybe it’s time for Rock to take a lesson and avoid speaking of Smith’s wife.
