So the Oscars happened… and yes we’ll discuss the Will Smith incident, but let’s take a look at some other things that played out that night. It was the 94th Academy Awards and was hosted by comedians Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, and Amy Schumer.

 During the show, the leading cast members of Pulp Fiction reunited for the 28th anniversary of the movie and recreated the iconic dance scene. Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta announced Will Smith as Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard. Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, and Rosie Perez reunited for the 30th anniversary of White Men Can’t Jump. Together they announced Dune as the winner of Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.

If you ask me, the Oscars were a hot mess. Dune won six too many Oscars. I didn’t even finish the movie because it was so boring but all I know is I was catfished by the trailer. Zendaya was in the majority of the trailer only to get seven minutes of screen time…how dare they. 

 Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas won best original song with No Time To Die. Not even mad about that, all the nominees were good. Maybe I would’ve been a little happier if Beyoncé won, but that’s alright. For best actress, I was rooting for my girl PENELOPE CRUZ however, Jessica Chastain won for her lead role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and, rightfully so, she was great in that movie. 

Summer of Soul won best documentary feature but of course, no one remembers because Will Smith stole the show right before.

Chris Rock went on stage to announce the award and make some jokes. Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith were sitting in the front row when Rock said “Jada, I love you – I can’t wait for GI Jane 2”, joking about her now shaved head.

Smith went on stage and slapped him.

Rock handled it pretty well and proceeded to present the award.

I personally think Smith is more in the wrong, actually, completely in the wrong. The Oscars have always been a space where people took jabs at each other and poke fun. Worse things have been said and no one got assaulted. Smith doing this completely overshadowed Summer of Soul winning an award. This film was a celebration of Black culture and the directors did not get the recognition they deserved for the film.

Later Smith one an Oscar for best actor and in his speech he takes no accountability for his actions. Not only does Rock deserve an apology, but so does everyone who won an award after that, especially the directors of Summer of Soul. 

Smith has now been banned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 10 years.