ironic that someone who nearly beheaded his ex was asked about this.O.J. Simpson weighs in on Will Smith slap: 'I UNDERSTAND'
'I thought it was a semi-unfunny joke,' the Heisman Trophy winner says
Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Publishing date:Mar 30, 2022 ⢠21 hours ago ⢠2 minute read ⢠19 Comments
O.J. Simpson has weighed in on Will Smith's attack on Chris Rock at Sunday night's Oscars.
O.J. Simpson has weighed in on Will Smith's attack on Chris Rock at Sunday night's Oscars. PHOTO BY TWITTER/GETTY
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With seemingly everyone who is famous having an opinion on Will Smithâs attack on Chris Rock at Sunday nightâs Academy Awards, O.J. Simpson has decided to wade in with his own take.
The Juice added his two cents to the viral slap in a post shared to his Twitter account that he captioned: âHe was wrong, but I understand the sentiment.â
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âHey look, it was unfortunate. I think Will was wrong,â Simpson said in a video post. âI didnât even think that (Chris Rockâs joke) was all that egregious. I thought it was a semi-unfunny joke.â
During Sundayâs Oscars broadcast, Smith marched onstage and smacked Rock after the funnyman made a wisecrack about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith starring in âG.I. Jane IIâ thanks to her bald head. Pinkett Smith has been open about her ongoing struggle with alopecia, which causes baldness, and was visibly upset by the dig. Rock reportedly did not know she suffers from the autoimmune disease.
Chris Rock reacts after being hit by Will Smith as Rock spoke onstage during the 94th Academy Awards.
Chris Rock reacts after being hit by Will Smith as Rock spoke onstage during the 94th Academy Awards. PHOTO BY BRIAN SNYDER /REUTERS
Simpson, 74, admitted he could understand where Smithâs anger came from after he was on the receiving end of many jokes during his trial for the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman â for which he was eventually acquitted.
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The former NFL star became the butt of jokes again when he was arrested and convicted of robbing two sports collectibles dealers in 2007, which landed him in jail for nine years and just saw him become a completely free man last year.
O.J. Simpson
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Will Smith hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif., March 27, 2022.
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Jada Pinkett Smith attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards on March 27, 2022.
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âLook, I understand the feeling,â he said. âIn my life, Iâve been through a lot of crap. I was raising two young kids and every comedian in the country had O.J. routines and donât think I wouldnât want to B-slap a couple of those guys, but youâve gotta accept itâs human.â
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Simpson went on to add that if he had displayed such anger, he would have been imprisoned for the rest of his life. âI know this, after what happened to me in Las Vegas if I would have done that in front of a billion people watching around the world they would have given me life without (parole). Iâm just saying.â
On Monday, Smith publicly apologized to Rock saying that he âreacted emotionallyâ to the joke.
His statement came after the Academy said it was launching its own formal review of the incident and the possible action it will take against the actor, who was also named the yearâs Best Actor winner for his role in King Richard.
A letter, obtained by Variety, states that Academy leadership is âupset and outragedâ over the altercation and how it âovershadowedâ a celebration of the film industry community.
mdaniell@postmedia.com
O.J. Simpson weighs in on Will Smith slap: 'I UNDERSTAND'
O.J. Simpson has decided to wade in with his own take on Will Smith's attack against Chris Rock at Sunday night's Academy Awards.torontosun.com
ironic that someone who nearly beheaded his ex was asked about this.
yes and no. hes searching for the real killers.O J Was guilty?? Was he convicted of the crime??
Will Smith did it....He's got a temper ya know.yes and no. hes searching for the real killers.
Prolly slapped 'em to death.Will Smith did it....He's got a temper ya know.
hes black so it will just be a bitch slap on the wrist.Film academy moves up discussion of Will Smith slap to Friday
Possible actions could include making actor ineligible for future awards or banning him from future Oscars ceremonies
Author of the article:Reuters
Reuters
Publishing date:Apr 06, 2022 ⢠18 hours ago ⢠1 minute read ⢠Join the conversation
Will Smith hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif., March 27, 2022.
Will Smith hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif., March 27, 2022. PHOTO BY BRIAN SNYDER /Reuters
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LOS ANGELES â The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has moved up its meeting to discuss possible sanctions against best actor winner Will Smith for slapping presenter Chris Rock to Friday, a letter from the groupâs president said.
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The board of governors of the organization, the group that hands out the Academy Awards, previously had been scheduled on April 18 to discuss the incident at last monthâs Oscars ceremony.
Smith resigned from the academy on Friday and said he would accept whatever consequences the group decided were appropriate.
Because Smith resigned, the academy no longer needs to follow the legally prescribed timetable to consider the matter, academy President David Rubin said in a letter to members.
âIt is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion,â Rubin said.
Possible actions could include making Smith ineligible for future awards or banning him from future Oscars ceremonies.
At the March 27 televised event, Smith strode up to the stage after comedian Rock made a joke about the appearance of Smithâs wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, then smacked Rock across the face.
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Less than an hour later, Smith gave a tearful speech on stage as he accepted the best actor award for his role in âKing Richard.â After the ceremony, he was seen dancing at Vanity Fairâs annual post-Oscars party.
Rockâs joke about Smithâs spouse made a reference to the 1997 film âG.I. Janeâ in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head. It was unclear whether Rock was aware that Jada Pinkett Smith has a condition that causes hair loss.
Film academy moves up discussion of Will Smith slap to Friday
Possible actions could include making actor ineligible for future awards or banning him from future Oscars ceremoniestorontosun.com
so i guess this means that chris rock can be bitch slapped every 10 years.Will Smith banned from Oscars gala, Academy events for 10 years after Chris Rock slap
Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Publishing date:Apr 08, 2022 ⢠16 hours ago ⢠2 minute read ⢠42 Comments
Will Smith holds his award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "King Richard" as he attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 27, 2022.
Will Smith holds his award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "King Richard" as he attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 27, 2022. PHOTO BY PATRICK T. FALLON /AFP via Getty Images
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has banned Will Smith from attending any Academy events, including the Academy Awards, for a period of 10 years following his assault on comedian Chris Rock at last monthâs Oscars.
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The board of governors of the organization made the announcement on Friday after Smith resigned from the Academy last week.
âIn addition to accepting his resignation, the board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,â a letter from Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson read.
âI accept and respect the Academyâs decision,â Smith said in response to the decision.
In its letter, the Academy acknowledged it did not handle the altercation âadequately.â
âFor this, we are sorry,â the note continued. âThis was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short â unprepared for the unprecedented.â
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Will Smith hits Chris Rock on stage during the 94th Academy Awards.
Will Smith hits Chris Rock on stage during the 94th Academy Awards. PHOTO BY BRIAN SNYDER /REUTERS
Smith attacked Rock onstage at the 94th annual Academy Awards after the Saturday Night Live alum made a joke about his wifeâs hair, comparing her look to actress Demi Mooreâs bald head in G.I. Jane. It was unclear whether Rock was aware that Jada Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.
Later in the night, Smith gave a tearful speech on stage as he accepted the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard, apologizing to his fellow nominees and the Academy, but not Rock. After the broadcast, he was seen dancing at Vanity Fairâs annual post-Oscars party.
Smith apologized the next day to the comic in a lengthy Instagram message in which he said he âreacted emotionally.â
The day after the ceremony, PEOPLE reported that organizers considered removing Smith from the broadcast.
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âBehind the scenes there were a lot of people, and different voices and bifurcated opinions, weighing in on what had just happened and what was the best and quickest course of action. People were also checking that Chris Rock was OK,â a source said. âHaving Will removed was definitely discussed seriously.â
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith pose on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Calif., March 27, 2022.
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In its letter Friday, the Academy expressed its âdeep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances.â
The group also thanked its âhosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.â
After his resignation last week, Smith said he would accept any additional punishment the Academy handed down.
mdaniell@postmedia.com
Will Smith banned from Oscars gala, Academy events for 10 years after Chris Rock slap
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has banned Will Smith from attending any Academy events, including the Academy Awards, for a period of 10 years follâŚtorontosun.com