Chris Rock didn’t know Jada Pinkett-Smith had alopecia before he made a joke about her hair at the Oscars, according to reports.
The stand-up comedian was hosting Sunday night’s star-studded event when he commented on Jada’s shaved head, saying he couldn’t wait for “GI Jane 2”.
After 50-year-old Jada rolled her eyes at the jibe, her husband Will Smith stormed on stage and slapped Chris across the face on live TV.
At first fans thought it was part of the show, but the mood in the room quickly changed when Will shouted: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
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A source with direct knowledge of the feud told TMZ former Saturday Night Live star Chris had “no idea” about Jada’s medical condition.
They added the comic “doesn’t have a bad bone in his body” and would never have offended someone on such a personal level deliberately.
Chris was said to be “shaken and bewildered” by Will’s slap, but still managed to carry on the show.
He later went to an Oscar’s afterparty to try and have some fun before the night ended.
Despite reports Chris and Will had talked it out and buried the hatchet, the source said neither have spoken since the on stage altercation.
Although Will has issued a public apology to Chris admitting he was “out of line and wrong” and called his actions “unacceptable and inexcusable”.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Chris would not be pressing charges against Will.
Academy governor Whoopi Goldberg said Will would also keep his first-ever Oscar for his portrayal of Serena and Venus Williams’ dad in the film King Richard.
She said: "I think he overreacted… I think he had one of those moments where it was like [God damn] it, just stop.
"I get it, not everybody acts the way we would like them to act under pressure. And he snapped..."
She added: "Sometimes you get to a point when you behave badly. I myself have behaved badly on occasion."
Will’s wife of 25 years Jada first spoke out about her hair loss during a Facebook Watch series in 2018, revealing why she wore turbans.
She later took the decision to shave her head completely and has been open with fans following her journey since.
Sharing an honest video post with her 11 million followers in December, Jada said: “Now at this point I can only laugh... y’all know I’ve been struggling with alopecia.”
"And just all of a sudden one day," she continued as she pointed the top of her head towards the camera.
Jada added: "Look at this line right here. Look at that. Mama's gonna put some rhinestones in there and I'm just gon' make me a little crown."
Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that develops when your body attacks its own hair follicles, causing your hair to fall out - often in clumps.
Doctors don't have an exact reason for why it happens, but it is believed genetics have a part to play.
There is no cure, however you can use medication like anti-inflammatory drugs and immunotherapy to help your hair grow back.
Other famous people with alopecia include comedian Matt Lucas and TV presenter Gail Porter.
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