Trevor Noah, who will host the Grammy Awards in 2022, took a dig at Will Smith and Chris Rock’s Oscars spat last weekend.
“It’s going to be such a lovely evening,” Noah remarked at the outset of Sunday’s event at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Do not consider this to be an award show,” he said. “This is an awards ceremony. We’re going to listen to some music, we’re going to dance, we’re going to sing, we’re going to avoid saying people’s names, and we’re going to be handing out trophies throughout the night.”
Noah’s remark about “keeping people’s identities out of our mouths” comes on the heels of the most talked-about moment from last Sunday’s Academy Awards, which were hosted in Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.
Rock arrived on stage during the programme to give the prize for outstanding documentary to Questlove for “Summer of Soul.” Prior to announcing the winner, he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, who was in attendance to support Will Smith, another Oscar candidate.
“I adore you, Jada.’
I’m looking forward to seeing ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ “Rock said, referring to her balding head.
Smith, who was nominated for his performance as Richard Williams in “King Richard,” originally chuckled at Rock’s joke, but Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes and seemed unimpressed.
“That was a beautiful one, OK,” Rock added as the crowd laughed, before going on to his next joke. Smith then stood from his seat beside his wife and approached Rock onstage.
Smith slapped Rock in the face and returned to his seat, as the comic attempted to downplay the incident.
“Oh, my! Wow. Will Smith had just slapped the living daylights out of me “As Smith walked away, Rock said.
“Avoid using my wife’s name in your filthy mouth!” Smith exclaimed twice.
Smith later apologised for his actions when he stepped onstage to win the Academy Award for best actor.
“I want to apologise to the Academy and to all the other candidates,” Smith stated. “This is a lovely moment, and I’m not sobbing because I’ve won an award.”
The actor stated that his victory is “about being able to cast a light” on those who worked on “King Richard.”
According to a statement made by the Los Angeles Police Department, Rock declined to file a police report against Smith for slapping him.
The Academy announced Monday that it will conduct a formal assessment of Smith slapping Rock in order to “consider additional action and repercussions according with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct, and California law.”
Smith later apologised on Instagram, writing: “Violence in all of its manifestations is poisonous and destructive.”
“My actions last night at the Academy Awards was both terrible and unforgivable,” he stated. “It’s part of the job to make jokes about myself, but one regarding Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to handle, and I responded emotionally.”
He also issued a public apology to Rock, stating: “I was out of step and incorrect. I’m humiliated, and my actions did not reflect the guy I aspire to be. Violence has no place in a society of love and peace.”
Smith announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday.
“I have reacted immediately to the Academy’s notice of disciplinary hearing, and I will completely embrace any and all repercussions for my actions,” Smith told Variety.
“Change takes time, and I am committed to working to guarantee that violence never again triumphs over reason,” he added.