Top 10 Celeb Reactions to the Will Smith and Chris Rock Feud
#10: Adam Sandler
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Since joining “SNL” in 1990, Sandler and Rock have collaborated on various projects. In March 2023, weeks after “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage” landed on Netflix, Sandler received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. When People asked Sandler if he felt Rock’s comments about Will and Jada crossed a line, he supported his fellow comedian. Sandler praised Rock’s special, going as far as to compare it to the Super Bowl. Rock was present that night to honor Sandler, discussing how he had been robbed of an Oscar nomination for “Uncut Gems.” Rock also referenced his own Oscar ordeal, saying that Paul Pelosi, who endured a hammer attack in 2022, knew how he felt. Based on Sandler’s reaction, he found that joke funny too.
#9: Eddie Murphy
Almost a year after the Slap, Eddie Murphy accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 80th Golden Globes. Murphy kept his speech short and sweet, thanking all the people who helped him get to where he is. Murphy’s calm, humble demeanor made it all more surprising when he built to a punchline referencing Will Smith and his infamous words on Oscar Night. Speaking to the press backstage, Murphy expressed his love for Smith and Rock, saying that he hadn’t heard from either of them since the previous year’s altercation. Had Murphy hosted this year’s Oscars, he says he would’ve worked that joke in. While Murphy wasn’t afraid to go there, he thought it was wise to address the incident and move on. Goodnight, everybody!
#8: Jim Carrey
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While the Slap left the biggest mark at the 2022 Oscars, some were just as shocked by the fallout. Smith was permitted to remain in the theater, winning Best Actor later that night. Jim Carrey said that he was “sickened” to see Smith receive a standing ovation following such a violent display, believing that the since-banned Best Actor winner should’ve been told to leave upfront. Carrey went on to call Hollywood “spineless.” Although Rock decided not to pursue legal action against Smith, Carrey would’ve gone down another route had he been on the receiving end. Carrey added that he had nothing against Smith personally, but his actions overshadowed what was supposed to be a special night for everyone in attendance.
#7: Jimmy Kimmel
Virtually every late-night host commented on the Slap. Jimmy Kimmel stood out since his show is on the same network that broadcasts the Oscars. This didn’t stop Kimmel from breaking down the feud during his monologue the following day. When Kimmel was enlisted to host the following year’s Oscars, a few jokes about the controversy seemed inevitable. Kimmel didn’t tiptoe around the elephant in the room, assuring the audience that a crisis team was in place. If somebody tried to attack Kimmel over a joke, they’d have to get past several action stars, including Michael B. Jordan and Michelle Yeoh. Just don’t count on Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man getting caught in the middle. Kimmel got through without any slaps or envelope mixups.
#6: Marlon Wayans
Marlon Wayans dedicated his 2023 standup special, “God Loves Me,” to the Smith/Rock feud. While Wayans expressed deep admiration for both parties, he couldn’t help but take at least a little pleasure in the Slap. He revealed that Rock once heckled him, driving Wayans to quit stand-up for 20 years. Wayans also had a huge crush on Jada Pinkett Smith, who he knew personally. Upon learning that she was in a relationship with Will, Wayans was naturally disappointed. So, when Smith slapped Rock on national television, Wayans saw it as God demonstrating his love for him. Despite taking shots at everyone involved, Wayans said in a Hollywood Reporter interview “that the purpose of this is more healing than it is deconstruction.”
#5: Joe Rogan
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Never one to shy away from controversial subjects, Joe Rogan of course had a hot take about the Smith/Rock feud. The podcast host was quick to comment on the Slap, condemning the Academy for not having Smith escorted from the ceremony. Rogan found Rock’s joke “mild” at most, saying that Smith’s reaction “sets a terrible precedent for comedy clubs.” About a year later, Rogan had more to share on the heels of Rock’s Netflix special. Rogan once again questioned what Smith was thinking, but this time, he focused more on the audience’s response or lack thereof. In Rogan’s eyes, Hollywood has few independent thinkers who are willing to call out something morally wrong. The standing ovation that Smith garnered seemed to support Rogan’s argument.
#4: Serena Williams
Smith won the Oscar for portraying Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena. While Smith thanked the Williams family in his acceptance speech, he also compared himself to “the crazy father.” On behalf of the real King Richard, his son Chavoita LeSane stated, “We don't condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defense.” Venus has been mostly quiet on the incident. Meanwhile, a stunned Serena initially said in a since-deleted Instagram story, “I gotta put that drink down.” The tennis superstar went into greater detail nearly a year later. She felt that Smith’s actions overshadowed Questlove, who subsequently won Best Documentary Feature. At the same time, Serena expressed sympathy for Smith, saying that she knew what it felt like to make a “mistake.”
#3: Jada Pinkett Smith
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The 2022 Oscars wasn’t the first time that Rock cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, notably throwing shade at her boycott of the 2016 ceremony when he hosted. After Rock made his “G.I. Jane” comment six years later, Pinkett Smith’s eye roll seemed to say everything. Pinkett Smith, who shaved her head due to alopecia areata, touched upon the slap while discussing her condition. The actress expressed hope that her husband and Rock would be able to “reconcile.” Pinkett Smith has yet to officially go on the record about “Selective Outrage.” However, a source close to her told People that she “has had no part in all of this other than being heckled.” The source also accused Rock of being “obsessed” with her.
#2: Will Smith
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During his Oscar acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but he only alluded to Rock. On social media, Smith subsequently apologized to the comedian, saying that he was “out of line” and “wrong.” Smith appeared in a YouTube video the following July, claiming that he had reached out to Rock, but he wasn’t ready to talk. For the time being, Smith again apologized to Rock, as well as his family. He also asserted that Jada wasn’t responsible for his decision. Like Jada, Will still hasn’t publicly shared his two cents on “Selective Outrage.” According to a source that spoke with Entertainment Tonight, Smith didn’t watch the special, but Rock’s comments left him feeling “embarrassed and hurt.”
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Sean Combs
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James Corden
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Jaden Smith
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Jerrod Carmichael
Barely a Week Later, He Was Already Tired of Talking About It
#1: Chris Rock
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Immediately after the Slap, practically everyone had something to say. Everyone except for the person who got slapped, other than a comment about this being “the greatest night in the history of television.” Rock said that he was still “processing what happened” while performing at the Wilbur Theater days later. It took another year, but Rock unleashed all of his thoughts in “Selective Outrage.” In addition to numerous jokes about Will, Rock used some harsh words to describe Jada. Rock even tackled Jada’s reported “entanglement” with Jaden’s friend August Alsina, who denies watching the special. While Rock didn’t fight back at the Oscars, he pulled no punches (or slaps) here. Sources claim that he’s ready to move on, but can the rest of the world?
