There was controversy at this year's Oscars ceremony when Will Smith walked onstage and appeared to slap comedian Chris Rock across the face.
This followed comedian Rock making a joke about Smith's wife. He said: "Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2," referring to the film in which Demi Moore shaved her head – Jada Pinkett Smith has lost hair through alopecia.
Smith did not appear to be offended but shortly afterwards walked calmly onto the stage and slapped Rock before going back to his seat and shouting "Keep my wife's name out of your .. mouth."
Rock was shocked but seemed to take it in his stride, saying: "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me" and then after a long pause: "That was the greatest night in the history of television."
Smith later apologised in a tearful acceptance speech when he picked up the Oscar for playing Richard Williams in King Richard.
"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the most strongest, most delicate people I've ever met. I got to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton], the two actresses 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. I know, to do what we do, you've got to be able to take abuse. You 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, you've got to pretend like that's OK. What I loved was, Denzel [Washington] said to me a few moments ago, he said, 'At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.'
I want to be a vessel for love. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story. That's what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern.
I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise 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 - Tim [White, producer] and Trevor [White, producer] and Zach [Baylin, writer] and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of King Richard, and Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family.
Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things."
More here.
