Will Smith’s son Jaden and Tennis star Serena Williams are among the stars who expressed both shock and support after the Hollywood actor hit Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars. Smith appeared to take offence at a gag comedian Rock made about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s short haircut before taking to the stage and striking him in front of the star-studded audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Red Table Talk host Pinkett Smith has previously spoken about her struggles with alopecia and said it is what prompted her to shave her head. After being named best actor for his performance as the father of Williams and her sister Venus in King Richard, Smith used his acceptance speech to apologise to the Academy and “all my fellow nominees” – but not Rock.
“I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people,” he added. Shortly after the incident, Serena Williams shared a video on her Instagram story showing her looking shocked.
