Will Smith and Chris Rock’s slapgate controversy at Oscars 2022 has been glaring in the spotlight, and there seems to be no end to the discussions around it.
Now, in the heat of the controversy, Chris’ younger brother, Kenny has now defended him and said that if the comedian had known about Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia he would not have made a joke about her hair at the Oscars.
For the unversed, at the 94th annual Academy Awards, Chris made a joke about Will's wife, Jada, and said that she was looking like GI Jane 2. He was referring to her baldness. This angered Will as he walked up to the stage and punched Chris at the live event.
Will Smith punches Chris Rock at the #Oscars.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 28, 2022
“Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth”
https://t.co/rS9wZ10d2V
Speaking to Los Angeles Times, Chris’ younger brother Kenny said, "The joke was funny. It wasn't hilarious funny, but I know that if he knew that she had alopecia ... he wouldn't make a joke about that. But he didn't know." Kenny further talked about seeing his sibling being hit on live television. He said, "It eats at me watching it over and over again because you've seen a loved one being attacked and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Every time I'm watching the videos, it's like a rendition that just keeps going over and over in my head. 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 added.
After Will lost his cool over Chris’ joke, he got up to the stage and punched him hard. He then took his seat and yelled at Chris. Smith said, "Keep my wife's name out of your f***** mouth." Chris said, "Will Smith smacked the shit out of me."
Celebrities were shocked to see this incident. The live-streaming of Disney+ Hotstar also stopped for a while.
Jada Pinkett Smith spoke about her alopecia diagnosis in 2018 and she has been open about her struggle with her condition. Will Smith and Jada tied the knot in 1997.
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