An Oscar’s official confirmed on Sunday night that Will Smith slapping Chris Rock across the face during the live taping of the 2022 Oscars was not a planned stunt.
Ramin Setoodeh, the Variety executive editor tweeted from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood saying, “Someone who works for the Oscars told me that Chris Rock was not interrupted by Will Smith at rehearsals yesterday… It was not supposed to happen. It was real. #Oscars.”
Smith (53), surprised the world when he walked on stage and struck Rock (57) in the face after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head — resulting from her struggle with alopecia.
WATCH THE UNCENSORED EXCHANGE BETWEEN WILL SMITH & CHRIS ROCK
VIA JAPANESE TELEVISION: The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock pic.twitter.com/j0Z184ZyXa
Following this incident with Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock at Sunday’s ceremony. The organization behind the annual film awards show initially said it condemned violence without mentioning Smith by name, but now it is making its displeasure over the incident more explicit.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” a spokesperson for the organization said. “We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”
It appears that Smith may face some type of disciplinary action or sanction, though it’s unlikely he will be made to forfeit his prize. In its official= standards of conduct, the Academy states it is “categorically opposed to any form of abuse.
Smith was named best actor later in the evening. He used his time at the podium to apologize to the Academy and to his fellow nominees — he did not mention Chris Rock.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Will Smith accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘King Richard’ onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Smith, who was named best actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams, in “King Richard,” had his big night tainted by his outburst. After Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s close cropped haircut, referencing “G.I. Jane,” Smith charged the stage and slapped Rock. He then screamed at Rock to “leave my wife’s name out of your F-ing mouth.” Pinkett Smith has said her hair loss results from alopecia.
“Love will make you do crazy things,” he said, adding, “To do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. You got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business you got to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you got to smile, you got to pretend like that’s okay.”
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Boston, MA—Toast (NYSE: TOST) and acclaimed food critic, Keith Lee, are joining forces to celebrate extraordinary restaurants and the little details that make them special. Beginning today, Toast and Lee will surprise the first of three restaurants with $50,000 each over the next few weeks.
Based on three categories, Commitment to Hospitality, Community Connection, Employee Care and Engagement, Keith has selected the first two restaurants. Toast and Keith Lee will also select a third restaurant based on submissions entered on social media, awarding a final $50,000 cash prize to one restaurant — and $25,000 to the individual that nominates them.
“As guests, we often see only what arrives on the plate, while restaurants orchestrate a complex symphony of details — from ingredients to atmosphere to staff choreography, and more – to make for amazing dining experiences,” said Kelly Esten, Chief Marketing Officer at Toast. “Like Toast, Keith Lee recognizes that it’s those little things that often set restaurants apart, not big marketing budgets or big name chefs. We’re delighted to work with him — and invite our community on social media to do so as well — to recognize some truly special businesses.”
“Getting a 10 out of 10 in my book is about more than the taste of the food alone — it’s also about the energy when walking in the door, the way food might be packaged, or how the server made me feel when I ordered,” said Lee. “I’ve made a career highlighting the way these details come together to make for great meals, and I’m thrilled to work with Toast to celebrate just a few of the people in our big, broad restaurant community who make it happen.”
(ATLANTA, GA) – February 5, 2025 – Globally-acclaimed TRIBL Records celebrate winning Best Gospel Performance/Song at the 67th GRAMMY Awards, for the mega-single, “One Hallelujah” featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds, and Jekalyn Carr. The single “One Hallelujah” was the musical anchor of the 2024 domestic-sold out tour of the same name.
Written by G. Morris Coleman, Israel Houghton, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Naomi Raine, “One Hallelujah” unites the powerful voices of Jonathan McReynolds, Jekalyn Carr, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, and Erica Campbell to deliver a message of praise and unity, blending their distinctive styles into a harmonious worship experience.
“The GRAMMY win for ‘One Hallelujah’ is a nod to the heartbeat of our company— that collaboration wins, especially when it comes to the Kingdom of God,” shares Insignia Co-Founder and CEO Norman Gyamfi, “We’re grateful for this honor, and for the artists who trusted us to steward the vision.”
For more information on TRIBL follow @TriblRecords on social media and visit tribl.com.
About TRIBL Music Group:
In the short time since its 2020 founding, TRIBL Music Group has revolutionized the Christian, Gospel, and Worship music marketplaces, disrupting the status quo and creating a diverse home for creatives everywhere. The ground-breaking company is home to the breakout collective Maverick City Music, as well as popular artists Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Maverick City Música, Travis Greene, Todd Galberth, and more. Boasting billions of global streams and chart-topping radio successes, TRIBL has garnered a seemingly endless array of peer, industry, and consumer-based accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards, BMI and ASCAP Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, numerous Stellar Awards, and several Dove Award wins TRIBL Record is a division of Insignia Assets, LLC. Learn more at tribl.com.
(ATLANTA, GA) – January 8, 2025 – Globally-acclaimed TRIBL Records celebrates earning four nominations in the 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The commendations came across various categories, including Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) and Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album.
MAVERICK CITY MUSIC CEO, Jonathan Jay, and Insignia Co-Founder and CEO Norman Gyamfi share: “We are honored to be nominated for the 56th annual NAACP Image Awards, we look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence and uplifting values through gospel music, while highlighting artists committed to that purpose.
Under the theme, “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence,” the NAACP Image Awards is globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows celebrating Black excellence. The winners will be revealed Friday, February 21, 2025 at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Ceremonies on naacpimageawards.net and during the two-hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, February 22, 2025 from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, at 8 PM ET/ 8 PM PT on BET and CBS.
For more information on TRIBL follow @TriblRecords on social media and visit tribl.com.
TRIBL Records 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards nominations are showcased below:
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album“The Maverick Way Reimagined” — Maverick City Music (Tribl Records)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song“God Problems (Not By Power)” — (Tribl Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)Maverick City Music feat. Miles Minnick — “God Problems (Not By Power)” (Tribl Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, Chandler Moore — “RAIN DOWN ON ME” (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)
About TRIBL Music GroupIn the short time since its 2020 founding, TRIBL Music Group has revolutionized the Christian, Gospel, and Worship music marketplaces, disrupting the status quo and creating a diverse home for creatives everywhere. The ground-breaking company is home to the breakout collective Maverick City Music, as well as popular artists Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Maverick City Música, Travis Greene, Todd Galberth, and more. Boasting billions of global streams and chart-topping radio successes, TRIBL has garnered a seemingly endless array of peer, industry, and consumer-based accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards, BMI and ASCAP Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, numerous Stellar Awards, and several Dove Award wins TRIBL Record is a division of Insignia Assets, LLC. Learn more at tribl.com.