Former One Direction member Liam Payne has simultaneously confused and amused fans in an interview on the red carpet of the 94th Annual Academy Awards. During the interview, which has been shown on television and has since gone viral on social media, Liam expresses his views on the slap Will Smith delivered to host Chris Rock.
Whilst roasting various members of the star-studded audience, Chris made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's buzzcut. Addressing Jada, who has alopecia, in front of the crowd, Chris quipped: "Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2."
Although he laughed at the joke initially, Will then stormed on stage to slap Chris across the face infront of an open-mouthed audience. When he returned to his seat, Will shouted: "Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth."
Read more: Cher and 50 Cent lead Hollywood reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock across the face
In an interview on the red carpet after the Awards had concluded, Liam Payne said the incident had a profound impact on him. Speaking in what viewers have described as a 'bizarre' accent, and in a broken, almost slurred way, Liam said: "Will Smith actually used to live behind my house. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing his son and daughter very well, and we did Men in Black 3 with him.
"I believe that whatever he felt he did, he had the right to do, I also felt there were three losers in this one fight. He didn’t know, being Chris Rock; he didn’t do what he had to do being Will Smith; and she did nothing, being Jada."
The 'Strip That Down' singer added: "It’s a very sad thing but there was a powerful moment for me to sit and watch one of the world’s best emoters ever, we’ve seen, speak from the heart. I would rather take the beauty out of the situation than take the pain, but I had to leave my chair, I’ll be honest with you. It cut me really deep."
Podcaster and presenter Jack Rem questioned: "What in God's name has happened to Liam's accent?! He sounds in Payne." Ciaran Varley said: "Quietly the best piece of content surrounding the Will Smith incident so far: Liam Payne gushing like an LA influencer about 'one of the world's greatest emoters', in a hybrid accent of totally inexplicable origin + managing to drop in that he sold out Madison Sq Garden."
In response to another Twitter user asking about Liam's accent, Anna wrote: "Bit of Welsh, bit of Birmingham, bit of Indian and a bit of Home Counties? Bloody bizarre mixture."
Meanwhile, in relation to the Will Smith situation, Itsme1980 penned: "I'm more concerned about @LiamPayne accent! WTH? "Wtf is Liam Payne accent about?! He's from Wolverhampton! Spanish American Irish mix," wrote Patrizia Roberto.
Born in Wolverhampton, Liam was said to be living in London late last year, renting Rita Ora's luxury home with his fiancée, model Maya Henry, according to The Mirror. Last year, the former One Direction star flogged his scenic California retreat for just over $10 million.
Liam was first linked to his now fiancée Maya back in 2018, and popped the question to her in August 2020. After calling their relationship off in June 2021, the pair then rekindled two months later, and were seen in St. Tropez together on a luxury yacht.
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