The actress, who was nominated in the Best Actress category, got front-row seats to all the action. Her shocked reaction at the awards show soon went viral on Twitter, with fans admitting that her reaction was the universal reaction of all those who watched the unprecedented attack.
“A NEW MEME IS BORN,” tweeted a fan.
Another said, “Nicole Kidman should win the Oscar for Best Reaction To Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock,’ tweeted one viewer.”
See what Twitterati had to say about Nicole’s reaction:
Nicole Kidman reacting to the Chris Rock and Will Smith incident at the #Oscars . A NEW MEME IS BORN. https://t.co/X19AE19OUv
— Mauli Adam (@mauli_adam) 1648437189000
Nicole Kidman Reacting To Will Smiths Slap Towards Chris Rock, That’s Right A New Meme Has Been Born #Oscars https://t.co/Q4lj5FHQmh
— Shakir (@shakirsltn) 1648443366000
@jaden Nicole Kidman felt the vibe https://t.co/wFD9E9gTII
— Gabriel (@shoujosufferer) 1648440836000
Nicole Kidman and her husband having a front row seat watching Will Smith slap the shit out of Chris Rock #Oscars… https://t.co/VRKgRQTmdO
— Gabbie (@GabbieGately) 1648436863000
Nicole Kidman finally trading in the seal clap meme for her Will Smith/Chris Rock slap reaction #Oscars https://t.co/H84BqMWgAa
— Joe (@onlyjoekin_) 1648441856000
#whatjusthappened Nicole Kidman was all of us at that moment https://t.co/38IjNMSVlO
— Erin RIP Taylor Hawkins (@parothed19741) 1648439482000
The unprecedented on-stage attack led to ‘#whatjusthappened’ trending on Twitter.
Photos and screenshots of other stars, including Beyonce and Jay Z, Lupita Nyong‘o also went viral.
Beyoncé & Jay Z’s reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the #Oscars. I am her. https://t.co/1fs4OG2QVl
— TV Fanatic⚜️ (@TvKhaleesi) 1648438398000
LUPITA IN THE BEHIND WILL SMITH IS KILLING ME #AcademyAwards https://t.co/BtITt6SC4R
— matt murdocks gf ♡ (@omgmattmurdock) 1648434859000
Will Smith marched onto the Oscars stage and smacked Chris Rock, the unpredictable moment served as a jarring interruption to Hollywood’s feel-good celebration.
But once Smith returned moments later to accept his first-ever Academy Award, he delivered a tearful apology for an act sure to overshadow his milestone achievement. He seized the opportunity during Sunday night’s awards to speak on being a fierce defender just like his tennis dad character Richard Williams from “King Richard.”
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said as he began his acceptance speech after winning best actor honours. He apologized afterward to many people — including tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, Richard Williams’ daughters — but did not mention Rock in his apology.
Smith then spoke about being a protector for those who worked with him on the film such as Aunjanue Ellis along with Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, the two actors who played Venus and Serena.
“I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people,” said Smith during his acceptance speech after winning his first-ever Oscar. “I know to do what we do you’ve got to be able to take abuse. You’ve got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you’ve got to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you’ve got to smile and pretend like that’s OK.”
The moment shocked the Dolby Theatre audience and viewers at home. At the commercial break, presenter Daniel Kaluuya came up to hug Smith, and Denzel Washington escorted him to the side of the stage. The two talked and hugged and Tyler Perry came over to talk as well.
After the show, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences issued a statement saying it “does not condone violence of any form.”
The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that it was aware of the incident.
“The incident involved one individual slapping another,” the statement read. “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.”
“That was the greatest night in the history of television,” Rock said before resuming his role as presenter.
The reverberations did not stop there. Several people approached Smith and Pinkett Smith in the commercial breaks that followed; Keith Urban hugged Smith during one stoppage in the show, and Nicole Kidman also went over to say a few words as well.
The confrontation overshadowed Smith’s milestone accomplishment. He was previously nominated twice for best actor, for his role in “Ali” in 2002 and “The Pursuit of Happyness” in 2007. In those films, he portrayed real-life characters: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Chris Garner, a homeless salesman.
Pinkett Smith was also the subject of jokes from Rock when he hosted the Oscars in 2016
