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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Lore’l of The Morning Hustle recently had a moment with Jordan at the movie premiere of his latest project, Creed III in Atlanta. During the start of the interview, she reminded him that they attended high school together in Newark, New Jersey. She introduces him to the camera saying, “And you know we know each other. We go way back, all the way back to Chad Science in Newark.”
JORDAN LOOKS HER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES WITH A SMILE AND SAID, “I WAS THE CORNY KID, RIGHT?”
Lore’l, likely uncomfortable responded with a laugh while quickly defending herself with another smile saying “I did not say that! I was misquoted, for sure.”
But Jordan didn’t let up and he briefly reminded her that the “corny kid” statement had been burned into his memory. There was still good energy present showing that he clearly had forgiven her, but he made it known he didn’t forget.
The interviewer briefly stayed in defense mode replying, “I said we used to make fun of the name.” She turns to the camera and says, “But yeah, he is obviously killing things out here.”
She quickly keeps the interview moving while remaining positive and continued to speak to Jordan about directing the latest movie and even brings up the expected union of him and Will Smithworking together in the future. As the interview is over, she seemingly admits to calling him corny when she says, “Well, you’re not corny anymore,” Jordan walked away with a slight smirk as he moved on to the next interview.
According to other news sources, Lore’l had previously stated that, as schoolmates, she and her friends would tease The Wire alum as he was pursuing his dream of becoming an actor.
Lore’l stated, “You know what’s so crazy? I went to school with Michael B. Jordan at a point in life. We went to Chad Science [Academy] together in Newark, and to be honest with you, we teased him all the damn time because his name was Michael Jordan. Let’s start there, and he was no Michael Jordan. And he also would come to school with a headshot. We lived in Newark; that’s the ’hood. We would make fun of him like, ‘What you gonna do with your stupid headshot!?’ And now look at him!”
The moral of this story is simple! But be careful who you bully!
Hailing from the Bronx New York and raised in Philly, Samara Joy’s new career has been catapulting like a rocket ship! As of yesterday, at only 23 years old Samara is now the winner of two Grammy awards: “Best New Artist” and “Best New Jazz Vocal Album” for her latest project “Linger Awhile”.
The singer comes from a legacy of music and a strong background in both Gospel and Jazz. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, sang in the famous soul gospel Philadelphia group, The Savettes. Joy’s father is Antonio McLendon, a singer and bassist who toured for years with another gospel star, Andraé Crouch.
In 2020, a viral Facebook video of Joy singng Ella Fitzgerald’s “Take Love Easy” as a thank you for receiving the Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship in 2020 while a student at State University of New York at Purchase led to her receiving a record deal. Her viral video caught the attention of actors like LaKeith Stanfield and Regina King, the latter of whom credits Joy’s music with helping her get through the pandemic.
There are few other ways to describe it. Samara embodies a sound of the past echoing all of the jazz greats from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan and more. The ArtSoul staff has been following Samara for a couple years now. At first listen, it was clear that she is the future of jazz bringing in both a new younger and older audience of the genre that is quickly becoming enamored by her talent as she re-introduces songs like “Can’t Get Out of This Mood”, “Guess Who I Saw Today”, “Someone To Watch Over Me and More”.
What happens when a 23 year old beauty from the Bronx brings back classic jazz standards? Apparently Tik Tok goes crazy!
In addition to going viral on Facebook where she was originally discovered during the pandemic, Joy has continued to go viral on Instagram and Tik Tok. In addition to growing new listeners to her music, new remixes of Joy’s songs have also been popping up from young Gospel and Jazz fans and musicians such as Producer and YouTube/IG&TikTok sensation Yaahn Hunter Jr who created a Chill Hip Hop infused version of Joy’s single “Can’t Get Out of This Mood” which is still trending on Tik Tok. Listen below…
The video below left many wondering if Samara was lip singing! But, as she has proved live on TikTok from her room and all the way to Paris, France on tour, Samara continues to show us all that she is the real deal!
We are excited to watch Samara Joy’s career continue to thrive as she continues to grow and leave audiences in awe. If you have never seen her live, do yourself a favor and show up to one of the stops on her current tour beginning February 11th through September 11th.
The holidays are here and we have listed a few movies for you to check out! Each film is featuring some of our favorite actors, and guest music artists! From @naturi4real to @kirkfranklin, @jonmcreynolds, @mspattilabelle, @iamjasmineguy, @keshiaknightpulliam, @wolfjamesand so MANY more! The culture is showing UP this holiday season with brand new films for the holidays! So, grab a few friends and family members and some hot coco and enjoy!
Scroll down to check out a few new picks from our staff!
Kirk Franklin’s “Twas The Night Before Christmas” (Lifetime)
View the full cast below: Chaz Lamar, Demetria McKinney, Kendra C. Johnson, Angela Birchett, Jen Harper, Shacai O’Neal, Kirk Franklin, Regina Belle, Kevin Brown, DeEtta West, Ken Colquitt, Steve Reddington, Tiffany Commons
“A Wesley Family Christmas” (BET +)
View the full cast below: Terayle Hill, Jonathan McReynolds, Loren Lott, Jasmine Guy, Terrence C. Carlson, Dorien Wilson, Sydney Mitchell, Kiki Haynes, Judi Blair, Red Grant, Kevin Savage, Mike Merrill, Marla Aaron Wapner, Edward M. Beckford Jr.
“A New Orleans Noel” (Lifetime)
View the full cast below: Keshia Knight, Patti LaBelle, Brad James, Tim Reid, Donna DuPlantier, Camille Robinson, Drez Ryan, Kamille McCuin, Talisa Friedman, Lothair Eaton
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” (Disney)
View the full cast below: Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, Allison Holker Boss, Joseph Simmons, Comfort Fedoke, Tiler Peck, Cache Melvin, Dushaunt FikShun Stegall, JabbaWockeez, Nicholas “Slick” Stewart, Jaja Vankova
“The Holiday Stocking” (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
View the full cast below: Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Sampson (of Issa Rae’s “Insecure”), Shay Mitchell, Ray Nicholson, Leah Jeffries, Javicia Leslie, Rose Abdoo, Chido Nwokocha, Michael Roark, Jonica T. Gibbs