Actor Will Smith delivered an emotional speech following his Oscar win, just minutes after striking comedian Chris Rock across the face on stage at the 94th Academy Awards. Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, referencing her buzzcut hairstyle by quipping: "Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2."
Pinkett Smith has been open about her battle with alopecia and hair loss. On a previous episode of her show Red Table Talk, she said 'handfuls of hair' came loose in the shower.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star initially appeared to laugh at the joke, but then got up on stage and slapped Rock across the face. He then returned to his seat and yelled: 'Keep my wife’s name out of your ******* mouth.'
READ MORE: Academy Awards issue statement after Will Smith hits Chris Rock in Oscars
Rock appeared shocked and flustered as he tried to resume presenting the best documentary feature category. Just minutes later, Smith went on to win the best actor award for biographical sports film King Richard.
Smith stars in the American blockbuster as the father and coach of famed tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. Accepting his Oscar, he apologised to the academy - but not to presenter Rock - and said: “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family."
He added that 'love will make you do crazy things' and that he is being called on in his life 'to love people.' He also paid tribute to his mum, who he said would be watching with her 'knitting friends.'
In full, the actor said in his winning speech: "Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met.
"I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses that play Venus and Serena. I’m being called on in my life to love people. And to protect people and to be a river to my people.
"I know, to do what we do, you've got to be able to take abuse. You've got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you've got to be able to have people disrespecting you and you've got to smile and pretend like that’s OK.
"Denzel [Washington] said to me a few minutes ago, 'At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.' I want to be a vessel for love. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena … and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story.
"That’s what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern. 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 the people … and the entire cast and crew of King Richard and Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family.
"Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams! But, love will make you do crazy things.
"To my mother, a lot of this moment is really complicated for me, but to my mother — she didn’t want to come out, she has her knitting friends, she has a knitting crew she’s watching with — being able to love and care for my mother and my family and my wife — I'm taking up too much time — thank you for this honour.
"Thank you for this moment. I thank you on behalf of Richard and Oracene and the entire Williams family. Thank you. I’m hoping the Academy invites me back. Thank you."
