On March 27, 2022, during the live television broadcast of the 94th Academy Awards, actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock[1] across the face as he was about to present the Award for Best Documentary. Just prior, Rock had acknowledged Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, with a joke about her shaved head, which Pinkett Smith has said was due to her alopecia areata. After returning to his seat, Smith shouted interjections at the comedian that included profanity. Rock briefly commented on the incident and then continued the ceremony. Later that evening, Smith won the Award for Best Actor.[2] In his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences but not to Rock. The following day, Smith issued an apology to Rock and the Academy via Instagram and Facebook.
Audience members and television viewers were shocked by the incident, with some wondering whether it was scripted. In the United States, most of the audio of the confrontation was muted by broadcaster ABC due to federal censorship laws, but uncensored video footage from international broadcasters was posted online and quickly went viral, rapidly accumulating tens of millions of views across multiple platforms. The incident prompted widespread commentary, discussion, and debate.
Smith resigned his membership in the Academy on April 1, 2022, facing a potential suspension or expulsion from the organization. Subsequently, the Academy banned Smith from attending the Oscars or any other Academy event for ten years, effective April 8.