Sandisiwe Mbhele

By Sandisiwe Mbhele

UX Content Writer


WATCH: Chris Rock has been making fun of Jada and Will since 2016

Will Smith's reaction to Chris Rock making fun of his wife's hair loss at the Oscars may have been building up for some time. 


An old clip of Chris Rock poking fun at Will Smith and Jada Smith boycotting the Oscars in 2016 has resurfaced. 

After Will slapped Chris at this year’s Oscars for making fun of his wife’s hair loss, it seems that his reaction may have been building for some time. 

Chris Rock hosted the Oscars in 2016 after critics complained and pointed out the award show’s lack of diversity, calling it “too white”. 

High profile actors including the Smith’s boycotted the Oscars that year because the lack of diversity was also visible in the list of nominees and movies recognised. 

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Chris poked fun at this boycott during his introduction monologue as host.

He compared Jada’s boycott of the Oscars to him boycotting “Rihanna’s panties, I wasn’t invited.. Its an invitation I wouldn’t turn down”. 

Chris proceeded to say he understood the boycott because Jada was mad that Will didn’t get nominated for his lead role in Concussion, which was critically applauded.  

Watch: Chris Rock makes fun of Will and Jada’s 2016 Oscars boycott

People who supported Will’s actions (him slapping Chris) have continued to defend him on social media. The video has also gone viral and many memes have been circulating on social media. 

SA Celebs react to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock

South African celebrities also took to social media to give their two cents about the incident.

Actress Bonnie Mbali said she would want a partner like Will who would “defend” her as he defenced Jada while media personality Dineo Ranaka said she “is Will Smith”. 

“People say be grateful, be kind and yes ‘be careful of the devil because in the highest moment he comes for you’. NO, but you guys are high in your most disrespectful moments. You are very disrespectful in your high moments, even me in my high moments I am going to be disrespectful.”

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celebrities Jada Pinkett Smith Oscars Will Smith