Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife, has finally addressed her husband’s infamous on-air slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
Jada opened up about the ordeal during Wednesday’s (June 1) premiere of her popular Facebook series Red Table Talk.
“This is a really important ‘Red Table Talk’ on alopecia,” Jada started. “Considering what I’ve been through with my own health and what happened at the Oscars, thousands have reached out to me with their stories. I’m using this moment to give our alopecia family an opportunity to talk about what it’s like to have this condition and to inform people about what alopecia actually is.”
She continued, “Now about Oscar night, my deepest hope is that these two intelligent, capable men have an opportunity to heal, talk this out and reconcile. The state of the world today, we need them both. And we all actually need one another more than ever. Until then, Will and I are continuing to do what we have done for the last 28 years, and that’s keep figuring out this thing called life together. Thank you for listening.”
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Jada’s comments come after Will Smith charged the stage at the 94th Oscar’s and assaulted comedian Chris Rock after he referred to Jada as “G.I. Jane,” likening her shaved head to the Demi Moore character from the 1997 movie. Jada had been open about her struggle with alopecia, and the joke triggered her husband, who, after the slap, demanded Chris rock keep “his wife’s name” out of his “fucking mouth.”
The assault resulted in Will voluntarily resigning from the Academy and led the academy to ultimately impose a 10-year ban on the King Richard star. Multiple projects starring Will Smith have also been put on hold as a result of the ordeal.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” Smith said in a statement following his resignation. “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”
He added, “I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film,” he stated, concluding with “change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”
