When an institution like the Academy Awards — however declining it may be — is overshadowed by a moment of chaos and confusion, celebrities and common folk become one.
More specifically, we turn to Twitter.
When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, the internet was flooded with reactions, ranging from memes to more serious reminders about the intensity of the moment.
Here's what went down in the room when the moment happened, and how Hollywood has reacted since.
What was the reaction in the room?
Actress Lupita Nyong'o was seated behind Will Smith, which meant her entire reaction to the moment was captured on camera as it played out.
Like other members of the audience, she appeared stunned at Smith's outburst once he returned to his seat.
As Smith begins yelling at Rock to "keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth," her expression grows more serious.
Beyonce and her husband, Jay-Z, were also photographed at some point during the moment. Jay-Z looked worried while Beyonce was seen sharing a glance with someone out of view.
At the Vanity Fair Oscars viewing party, celebrities — including Taika Waititi and Sarah Paulson — crowded around a phone, but it's unclear if the group was replaying that moment.
Nicole Kidman was also captured looking shocked during the ceremony, but it remains unclear if she was reacting to the slap.
Following the incident, Chris Rock is seen shaking his head in disbelief as he walks off stage.
During the commercial break, Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry are seen talking with Will Smith.
The actors motion to Smith to brush off the moment, before a representative of Smith appears to comfort Smith and give him a hug.
Smith is then seen wiping his eyes before retuning to his seat, next to his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
What has Hollywood said?
In a tweet, the Academy Awards said it "does not condone violence of any form," but it is unclear if Will Smith will face any repercussions from the incident.
On Twitter, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's son, Jaden, wrote "and that's how we do it", while 50 Cent tweeted "LOL".
Comedian Kathy Griffin said the incident showed "a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian".
"Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters."
Actress Sophia Bush said "assault is never the answer" but brought up the fact that this is not the first time Chris Rock has made a joke at Jada's expense at the Oscars.
"Tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone's auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather," she tweeted.
Actor Colman Domingo told Variety: "I thought, he's from West Philly, just like I'm from West Philly. We're very passionate people."
"I just think in the moment, his passion probably got the best of him," he said.
During his acceptance speech for winning Best Actor for King Richard, Smith said: "I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees."
"This is a beautiful moment and I'm not crying for winning an award. It's not about winning an award for me. It's about being able to shine a light on all of the people," he said.
Smith ended his speech by saying, "I hope the Academy invites me back."
On stage, P Diddy said: "Will and Chris, we're going to solve this like family at the gold party, but right now we're moving on with love."
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez told a reporter she supported Smith.
"I always cheer for Will ... he's one of the only black men in that position to win an award like that," she said.
"And I think it was really well deserved. So I'm here for him.
"Sometimes when you're speaking about somebody's wife, you know, you can't really help that. So that's what I would say."
Mark Hamill called the incident the ugliest Oscar moment ever.
Karamo Brown said he thought that Smith was under a lot of pressure and that "at a certain point, everyone breaks".
"I think these are two men that will actually come together, figure it out and like, say, 'OK, enough is enough. I'm sorry,'" he said.
"I never condone violence or anything of that nature, but I also could understand protecting those you love."
Kevin Costner said Rock's joke was uncalled for.
Asked how he'd respond if someone insulted his wife, he said: "Nobody should be doing that. OK. So we shouldn't even move to the second moment. Nobody should be doing the first."
"I wish I had a man to protect me like that," Tiffany Haddish said at the Vanity Fair party.
The after-parties provided a much needed vibe shift
However intense things got during the ceremony, Will Smith still attended after parties to celebrate winning his first Academy Award.
He was seen taking selfies with his award and getting down to his own hits on the dance floor.
Without naming either Smith or Rock, LA Police said in a statement they were aware of an incident at the Oscars, but "the individual involved has declined to file a police report."
So maybe the pair took P Diddy's advice and worked things out.
