Comedian, Chris Rock has reportedly declined to file a police report after being slapped in the face by Will Smith at the Oscars on Sunday.
Rock, 57, refused to file a police report, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, Variety reports.
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‘LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,’ the LAPD said in a press release after the show ended Sunday.
It added;
The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.
Smith, 53, could still face a misdemeanor charge for battery should Rock have a change of heart.
The slapping incident occurred after Rock cracked a joke about the ‘GI Jane‘ haircut of Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, who has alopecia. The shocking scene, broadcast live around the world, stunned both the live audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and TV viewers.
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Smith later showed up on stage and slapped Rock with an open right hand, Rock staggered and exclaimed, ‘Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me.‘
The actor then walked back to his seat and shouted: ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.’
Referring to Pinkett Smith’s buzzcut, Rock said: ‘Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2‘, prompting the actress to roll her eyes. Pinkett Smith has been battling hair loss since revealing her alopecia diagnosis in 2018.
His joke referred to 1997 film GI Jane, in which Demi Moore played the title role rocking a low cut hair style.
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After being slapped, Rock appeared shocked and still went on to present the best documentary feature category.
‘That was the greatest night in the history of television,’ Rock said, before awkwardly reading the Oscar nominees, an award that went to Questlove’s ‘Summer of Soul.
In between the slap and his best actor win, Smith met with Denzel Washington. The “Glory” and “Training Day” Oscar winner offered Smith the following advice: “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.”
Smith later apologised but not directly to Chris Rock. He won best actor for “King Richard” following the incident and issued an apology in his tearful acceptance speech.
The actor said;
I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people.
The actor may currently not be facing battery charges but The Academy, organisers of the award ceremony, may dish out disciplinary actions which may cost him his Best Actor award.
