Latest news with #94thAcademyAwards
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Will Smith addresses Oscars slap controversy in fiery freestyle on Fire in the Booth
Will Smith (R) hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Will Smith seems to be revisiting the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Chris Rock in a newly released freestyle on Charlie Sloth's 'Fire in the Booth.' The moment adds another layer to Smith's musical comeback, which began with his March 2025 album, Based on a True Story. 'If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,' Smith raps in the track. 'Jokers dish it out, cry out when it's time to take it, City full of real ones wasn't raised to fake it.' While Smith doesn't mention Rock by name, the reference to public disrespect on stage closely mirrors the Oscars moment that saw him slap the comedian over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The 94th Academy Awards in March 2022 made global headlines after Smith walked on stage and struck Rock during his hosting gig, yelling, 'Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth!' The fallout included Smith's resignation from the Academy and a ten-year ban from attending its events. Smith's return to music started earlier this year with Based on a True Story and continued in June with the release of his single, 'Pretty Girls.' The freestyle marks his most direct lyrical reference yet to the Oscars controversy. While both Smith and Rock have made public comments about the incident in the years since, this verse signals that the event continues to resonate with Smith creatively — and may still be shaping his public narrative.
The South African
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Will Smith opens up about personal growth post-Oscars slap
Will Smith has given a striking new perspective on the infamous Oscars moment when he slapped Chris Rock in 2022. Now, nearly three years later, the actor describes the incident as 'bruitiful' — a mix of brutal and beautiful. The actor reflected on how it forced him to confront authenticity and imperfection in his life and career, according to The Daily Mail. Will Smith spoke on BBC Radio 1Xtra with Remi Burgz . He said the experience pushed him to embrace his humanity rather than cling to an image of perfection. 'Finding that way to be with my humanity — be able to not be perfect but be human and find a higher power in my humanity,' he explained. He added that this acceptance allows him to be 'better than Will Smith,' the idealised version of himself he once sought to project. 'The honesty and authenticity and the broader spectrum of the possibilities of who I am is better than Will Smith,' he said. The slap occurred during the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Chris Rock had just made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, a result of her alopecia diagnosis. Will Smith stormed the stage and struck Rock. He then shouted for him to 'keep my wife's name out of your mouth,' shocking the global audience. The incident led to a 10-year ban from the Oscars and widespread backlash. Despite the fallout, Will Smith has continued to work on his career. However, sources say the incident has had lasting consequences. Industry insiders reveal that while Smith still has strong instincts for choosing projects. The slap made it difficult for him to secure big-budget films. His public image took a hit, and some projects were put on hold, costing him an estimated R18 billion (about $1 billion) in lost deals and opportunities. Will Smith has publicly apologised to Chris Rock and the Academy, expressing remorse and a desire to make amends. Chris Rock has not yet accepted his offer. The actor has used the experience as a catalyst for personal growth, focusing on authenticity and imperfection rather than maintaining a flawless public persona. Will Smith's journey highlights the complexities of public accountability and personal evolution in the age of instant global media. His candid reflections on embracing imperfection resonate universally, reminding us that even those at the pinnacle of fame face human struggles and the need for growth. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Will Smith feels ‘brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him
Will Smith feels 'brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take "a big, strong, honest look at myself". Will Smith has announced a new album as well as UK and European tour (Image: Getty Images ) Actor Will Smith has described the work he has done on himself since slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars as "brutal but beautiful", or "brutiful". The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take "a big, strong, honest look at myself". Appearing on 1Xtra, Smith told host Remi Burgz: "After the Oscars I, like, shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work... "All of a sudden, it was like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas, and like the manhole cover came off, and it was scary for a minute. "Then all of a sudden all of these new thoughts, new energies and new creativity came through. "So, I feel like I'm brand new. Article continues below "I feel like the greatest creative period of my life will be in the next, you know, five to 10 years." Smith, who has starred in blockbusters such as the Men In Black and Bad Boys franchises, stormed the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss. Smith won the Oscar for best actor for his leading role in King Richard the same night. Asked what it was like to make such a mistake in front of the world, Smith said: "For the first time in my career, having to deal with a level of disapproval that I'd never had to experience. "It's brutiful – it's brutal but beautiful. "The addiction to the approval of others that I had to dissolve, brutiful." Article continues below The Academy Awards called Smith's behaviour "unacceptable and harmful", and banned him from the ceremony for a period of 10 years. Smith released his first record in two decades earlier this year. The album, Based On A True Story, also references the Oscars incident.
Leader Live
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Will Smith feels ‘brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him
The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take 'a big, strong, honest look at myself'. Appearing on 1Xtra, Smith told host Remi Burgz: 'After the Oscars I, like, shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work… 'All of a sudden, it was like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas, and like the manhole cover came off, and it was scary for a minute. 'Then all of a sudden all of these new thoughts, new energies and new creativity came through. 'So, I feel like I'm brand new. 'I feel like the greatest creative period of my life will be in the next, you know, five to 10 years.' Smith, who has starred in blockbusters such as the Men In Black and Bad Boys franchises, stormed the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss. Smith won the Oscar for best actor for his leading role in King Richard the same night. Asked what it was like to make such a mistake in front of the world, Smith said: 'For the first time in my career, having to deal with a level of disapproval that I'd never had to experience. 'It's brutiful – it's brutal but beautiful. 'The addiction to the approval of others that I had to dissolve, brutiful.' The Academy Awards called Smith's behaviour 'unacceptable and harmful', and banned him from the ceremony for a period of 10 years. Smith released his first record in two decades earlier this year. The album, Based On A True Story, also references the Oscars incident.
Rhyl Journal
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Will Smith feels ‘brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him
The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take 'a big, strong, honest look at myself'. Appearing on 1Xtra, Smith told host Remi Burgz: 'After the Oscars I, like, shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work… 'All of a sudden, it was like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas, and like the manhole cover came off, and it was scary for a minute. 'Then all of a sudden all of these new thoughts, new energies and new creativity came through. 'So, I feel like I'm brand new. 'I feel like the greatest creative period of my life will be in the next, you know, five to 10 years.' Smith, who has starred in blockbusters such as the Men In Black and Bad Boys franchises, stormed the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss. Smith won the Oscar for best actor for his leading role in King Richard the same night. Asked what it was like to make such a mistake in front of the world, Smith said: 'For the first time in my career, having to deal with a level of disapproval that I'd never had to experience. 'It's brutiful – it's brutal but beautiful. 'The addiction to the approval of others that I had to dissolve, brutiful.' The Academy Awards called Smith's behaviour 'unacceptable and harmful', and banned him from the ceremony for a period of 10 years. Smith released his first record in two decades earlier this year. The album, Based On A True Story, also references the Oscars incident.
