In the words of Chris Rock "uh oh".
The Oscars 2022 took a turn for the worse, when Will Smith smacked Chris Rock after he joked about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith - but this was no prank, claim sources.
During the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, which was held at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday 27 March, comedian Chris appeared to poke fun at Jada, 50, shaved head.
But the comment did not go down well with the couple, as Jada first opened up about her battle with alopecia, which causes hair loss, in 2018.
While presenting the Best Documentary award, Chris said: "Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2."
In GI Jane Demi Moore - who portrays Jordan O'Neill - sports a shaved head for the role.
The camera panned to the audience, and saw Jada shaking her head and rolling her eyes, while Will, 53, was chuckling. But moments before Will Smith, 53, made his way on stage.
Chris seemed confused, and slightly alarmed, in footage of Will approaching him as he said: "I'm out here... uh oh", before Will slaps him round the face.
All fired up, the King Richard actor - who picked up the Best Actor award for his role in the production - fumed: "Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth."
Chris tried to not let the moment throw him off as he continued to laugh, and then said: "Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me."
After the shocking ordeal, fellow A-listers reached out to Will and Jada, including Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper, Queen Latifah, and P Diddy.
P Diddy - whose real name is Sean Combs - tried to mediate between the pair once the livestream of the annual awards bash resumed. He said: "Will and Chris, we’re going to solve this – but right now we’re moving on with love."
While some viewers thought the ordeal was a prank, Vanity Fair executive editor, Ramin Setoodeh, who was live tweeting from the red carpet, insisted it was not part of rehearsals.
The tweet read: " It was not supposed to happen. It was real."
Later in the evening Will came out to apologise, as he picked up the Best Actor title for his role in King Richard.
He said: "I want to apologise to the Academy, I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment.'
'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."
-
If you have oily eyelids like me, trust me when I tell you that this is the only primer that keeps eyeshadow in place all dayI’ve used it for years and years
-
As a beauty editor with hair prone to frizz and flyaways, I’ve tried every smoothing hair product out there—these 9 actually workThis way for sleeker strands
-
Celebrities and PTs alike love strength training to boost tone. 7 seriously effective 20-minute dumbbell workouts you can do from homeShort, simple workouts FTW.
-
Will Smith makes joke about 'sloppy public experiment' marriage to Jada Pinkett SmithThe joke landed
-
Will Smith releases an unusual 'official statement' following Jada Pinkett Smith's claimsOkay...
-
Oscars 2023: All you need to know from the Oscars nominees to how to watch them liveAll you need to know about the Oscars 2023
-
Will Will Smith lose his Oscars award?The plot thickens
-
Will Smith banned from the Oscars and Academy events for 10 yearsThat's a long time!
-
This is why Will Smith was not removed after Oscars feud
Reports claim he refused - but that's not entirely true
-
Will Smith resigns from the Oscars Academy after slapping Chris Rock
He said his actions are 'inexcusable'
-
Oscars 2022: Moments you may have missed from the 94th Academy AwardsFrom feuds to reunions
