![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZOEYGF3XU2YCXI64XNB5LAJNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8e87381d49b2481ae56ee03f3077df01bc5ffe734b84b89f582c177417a5e5e&width=400&height=225)
US tennis star Venus attends the 94th Oscars. AFP
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In an unexpected moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, actor Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BTTSADFZBQORRTGT4PRMR2YF7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=725148076e1e6fbcaaf6231afceb814f52f769896e18e46fa9b4381a82863201&width=400&height=225)
Smith confronts Rock onstage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CWV6PP547ADGVYYLLFQ2QA3FQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b12a68d3290b03f70b98ab6f53afeca4b39a14bcc5b7a6c4a873d59dda1dad4&width=400&height=225)
Rock likened Jada Pinkett Smith's hair to a GI Jane haircut, which prompted her husband to take to the stage to confront Rock in a seemingly unscripted moment. Reuters
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Smith leaves the stage at the Oscars after slapping Rock for a remark he made about his wife Jada. She lost her hair because of alopecia. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WTRFBI4ZWLVJNA5225HAVKGYEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=617f010210ebd3a34b9d08339b53a00f465830d535cb321d21d44b08d95c3390&width=400&height=225)
Smith and Jada arrive at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP
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Smith wins Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in King Richard, at the 2022 Oscars. AFP
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Smith, in tears, pays tribute to his wife Jada during his acceptance speech. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y7IPUUEV5I5HY2JL57CV37OGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce26b58fa5e97fda8082744e1a989ff0d39ebb3516a3aea17341fd3173cd8011&width=400&height=225)
Smith with wife Jada after he won the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. AFP
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Serena Williams at the Oscar Awards on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SDUDCBYPTGHRWNFPZXHKKERCDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe4eb337171d39601e73b6366e3f6e2554b9e098f22f9e438cee21882a11d3ac&width=400&height=225)
Serena and sister Venus Williams introduce a performance by Beyonce at the Oscars. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZOEYGF3XU2YCXI64XNB5LAJNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8e87381d49b2481ae56ee03f3077df01bc5ffe734b84b89f582c177417a5e5e&width=400&height=225)
US tennis star Venus attends the 94th Oscars. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBTHMIZ2JKTI52WWYBMD2BVIIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c39ad605ba6b9faff340cc0fcab5a5c3d9cfddb471ab241af16f818153e81ee8&width=400&height=225)
In an unexpected moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, actor Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BTTSADFZBQORRTGT4PRMR2YF7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=725148076e1e6fbcaaf6231afceb814f52f769896e18e46fa9b4381a82863201&width=400&height=225)
Smith confronts Rock onstage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CWV6PP547ADGVYYLLFQ2QA3FQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b12a68d3290b03f70b98ab6f53afeca4b39a14bcc5b7a6c4a873d59dda1dad4&width=400&height=225)
Rock likened Jada Pinkett Smith's hair to a GI Jane haircut, which prompted her husband to take to the stage to confront Rock in a seemingly unscripted moment. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KUVHAS54NLHM6BWGLN2FZ6JLBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=17b7f62f7dd81eefcffa83c17de10f06ed50ee078bc97efb337dc390840638d9&width=400&height=225)
Smith leaves the stage at the Oscars after slapping Rock for a remark he made about his wife Jada. She lost her hair because of alopecia. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WTRFBI4ZWLVJNA5225HAVKGYEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=617f010210ebd3a34b9d08339b53a00f465830d535cb321d21d44b08d95c3390&width=400&height=225)
Smith and Jada arrive at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KM6VOTRGYSIYWILSJU5TALVGNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=eca99072b71e975e4d66358e6719e68ba1b36cc519de9f02908d1f8e744956e0&width=400&height=225)
Smith wins Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in King Richard, at the 2022 Oscars. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MOC6VIKVXGQRGT53YYADDZTPXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6381a09eab97772b1c2376aea53b37d28dceea5fb19c42090fd348dc691437d3&width=400&height=225)
Smith, in tears, pays tribute to his wife Jada during his acceptance speech. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y7IPUUEV5I5HY2JL57CV37OGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce26b58fa5e97fda8082744e1a989ff0d39ebb3516a3aea17341fd3173cd8011&width=400&height=225)
Smith with wife Jada after he won the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NKVQG6R3SDTONZSEUWLWZ5NLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=be128fff44f42642fc696eb024a8250d6e9ec0a6fc9a61c448ea1e8b48c40fd9&width=400&height=225)
Serena Williams at the Oscar Awards on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SDUDCBYPTGHRWNFPZXHKKERCDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe4eb337171d39601e73b6366e3f6e2554b9e098f22f9e438cee21882a11d3ac&width=400&height=225)
Serena and sister Venus Williams introduce a performance by Beyonce at the Oscars. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZOEYGF3XU2YCXI64XNB5LAJNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8e87381d49b2481ae56ee03f3077df01bc5ffe734b84b89f582c177417a5e5e&width=400&height=225)
US tennis star Venus attends the 94th Oscars. AFP
Oscars 2023 will have crisis team on hand following last year's Will Smith slap drama
Academy puts plans in place to handle any unexpected events
![Sophie Prideaux](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F12f775da-e760-44f0-9421-603001dd6073.png?smart=true&auth=a1d8def615b59cb2319cadb33b6b250426203024737a98b0c7d17cc97cf4da11&width=70&height=70)
Sophie Prideaux
22 February, 2023
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