Chris Rock's Other Brother Sinks His Teeth Into Will Smith
The Oscars slap that was heard around the world keeps reverberating throughout the entertainment industry, as people are still in shock over how Will Smith got on stage and threw his hand at Chris Rock's face. Since then, Smith has not only apologized multiple times, but he's also resigned from The Academy and seen a lot of his Hollywood projects put on hold as the fallout surrounding the slap continues to take a toll on his career. A lot of celebrities have also weighed on in the matter. Smith's former "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" co-star Tatyana Ali spoke out about the slap, saying on Twitter, "I don't know what caused that chaos & confusion, but I do know that Will has a big heart. I've seen him many times try his best to do what is right. I believe in him." Janet Hubert, who played Aunt Viv on "The Fresh Prince," also chimed in in a now-deleted Instagram post that said (via Page Six): "So PROUD OF YOU. There is only so much one can take... sometimes you have to slap back. Celebrate the win... nothing else matters. Both actions were incorrect but Chris didn't need to go there."
While Smith has gotten both criticism and support for his behavior, it's Rock's brothers who sure have a lot to say about the matter. In fact, Kenny Rock sunk his teeth into Smith in his statement about the slap.
Kenny Rock has no time for Will Smith's apologies or excuses
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Chris Rock's brother Kenny Rock said that he's having a hard time replaying videos of the slap because it's hard for him to see Chris attacked while "there's nothing you can do about it." He explained, "My brother was no threat to him and you just had no respect for him at that moment. You just belittled him in front of millions of people that watch the show." Kenny also says that Smith should have been escorted out of the Oscars that night and that to his knowledge, Smith had not reached out to his brother.
Similarly, Chris' other brother also had one simple word for the fresh prince. When a Twitter user asked Tony Rock if he approved of Will Smith's apology, he bluntly replied with, "No." Clearly, the relationship and support between Chris and his brothers is rock solid.
Many are unhappy with Will Smith
Chris Rock's brothers aren't the only ones angry at Will Smith for putting his hands on Rock.
Fellow comedian Judd Apatow took Smith to task in a series of now-deleted tweets. "Seems like Will Smith's plan to get comedians and the world to not make jokes about him is not going to pan out. The Williams family must be furious. Pure narcissism," he wrote (via The Hollywood Reporter). Another of Apatow's deleted tweets read, "He could have killed him. That's pure out of control rage and violence. They've heard a million jokes about them in the last three decades. They are not freshman in the world of Hollywood and comedy. He lost his mind." Meanwhile, award-winning author Bernardine Evaristo also condemned Smith's violent outburst in a since-deleted tweet. "What a thing to wake up to. Only the fifth black man in nearly 100 years to win an Oscar for male lead, and the first in 16 years, resorts to violence instead of utilising the power of words to slay Chris Rock. Then he claims God and love made him do it," she penned (via The Guardian).
But what does Smith's wife, the woman at the center of it all, think? The answer just might surprise you...
Jada Pinkett Smith reportedly wishes that Will Smith did not resort to violence
Happy wife, happy life... right?
Although Jada Pinkett Smith has remained notably mum regarding the violent altercation at the 2022 Oscars (save for a cryptic Instagram post) it's reported that she isn't too pleased with her husband's behavior, either. A source told Us Weekly that Pinkett Smith wishes that Smith had not gotten physical with Rock. "It was in the heat of the moment and it was him overreacting. He knows that, she knows that. They're in agreement that he overreacted," the source alleged. Still, the source is adamant that Pinkett Smith is taking a page straight out of country singer Tammy Wynette's playbook. "She's a strong woman, an opinionated woman and she can fight her own battles. But she will stand by him," the source claimed. "They protect their family. They're all about their family and their kids. They've done everything to build this life for themselves. They are very much protected in their own lives and do the absolute best they can to protect their loved ones."
Perhaps the famous couple can duke it out on another episode of Pinkett Smith's talk show series, "Red Table Talk."