The first reactions are, to say the least, divided. There will obviously be no winner in this fight.
Update March 29, 2022: vulnerability posted a disclaimer explaining that the photo of Nicole Kidman that made the rounds of the web was not a reaction to Will Smith’s slap. The actress was actually greeting her friend Jessica Chastain, who had just arrived at the ceremony. Read all the details here.
News of March 28, 2022: It is unquestionably Nicole Kidman who will win the prize for Best reaction to the slap of Will Smith. In shock at the actor’s gesture, the star nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress during the evening was completely hallucinated by this crazy gesture.
On a scale of 1-Nicole Kidman, how are we all feeling? 😅 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/UKjZXG6qTt
—E! News (@enews) March 28, 2022
And the rest of Hollywood is kind of the same. Completely shocked by what just happened. Torn between the desire to defend Chris Rockthe freedom of expression and the right to make jokes (especially when you’re a comedian), and that of supporting the cold anger of an exasperated husband…
Like the star of Scott Brothers, Sophia Bushwho does not want to validate the violence of Will Smithbut which just as strongly condemns the cruelty of Chris Rock and his attacks on a sick woman, suffering from alopecia areata or “alopecia”:
Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after his alopecia. Punching down at someone’s autoimmune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.
—Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) March 28, 2022
Others, like LaKeith Stanfield (of Sorry to Bother You) Where Minnie Driver (of Will Hunting), would have preferred that it remain in the private domain and seem above all embarrassed to have attended such a non-public settling of scores:
Minnie Driver reacts to the moment Will Smith smacked Chris Rock at the #Oscars: “It was deeply personal. We were all privy to…emotions running really high. I really hope they will make up later. It’s hard to watch somebody’s pain like that.” https://t.co/ulvT7fb0dz pic.twitter.com/6uROb17zf2
—Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
LaKeith Stanfield reacts to the moment Will Smith smacked Chris Rock at the #Oscars. https://t.co/ulvT7fb0dz pic.twitter.com/Ci4PQuiMFX
—Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
Kenya Barris’ thoughts on the #Oscars: “There need to be a clear distinction between work and home. We’ve gotten it confused” https://t.co/tGxomF4J6v pic.twitter.com/W0DlEYtY0v
—Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
Finally, some try to relativize the sequence. The rap superstar 50 Cent was one of the first to react, having fun with the slap. The actor Colman Domingo of fear the walking deadhe tries to explain the slap in the face of Will Smithbecause it is “a guy from West Philadelphia, just like me. We are very passionate people…”
B!tch don’t you ever play with me. LOL • https://t.co/jnbpt4Vpb3 pic.twitter.com/Klb3GEIL3d
— 50cent (@50cent) March 28, 2022
Colman Domingo reacts to the moment Will Smith smacked Chris Rock at the #Oscars: “I thought, he’s from West Philly, just like I’m from West Philly. We’re very passionate people.” https://t.co/ulvT7fb0dz pic.twitter.com/xiVK3hfQyk
—Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
