Will Smith began his career as a hip-hop artist in the 80s and shifted to acting by taking his pseudonym Fresh Prince and turning it into the character we all know. The show has been on reruns ever since it left the air. That was just the tip of the Iceberg for his success as he has been referred to as “the most popular actor in Hollywood”. Today he won his first-ever Oscar in a somewhat perplexing situation after an out-of-place display of violence on stage against comedian Chris Rock.
What initially was thought to be a staged joke, immediately became a situation where the truth came out. After going on stage and striking the comedian, Smith returned to his seat next to his wife and angrily yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f* mouth” to the comedian twice, the awkward silence was what gave every spectator the clear answer if they thought it was planned.
Chris Rock took a moment to regroup and presented the award for Best Documentary while the tension was still there
The night progressed and the moment came to present the award for best actor
When it was announced that Will Smith was the winner, he kissed his wife and went on stage to accept the award and somewhat justified his previous action by saying “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he also added that “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.”
I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people
Both quotes partially justify his actions, however, there is no quote that can condone a public display of violence in an art platform like the Oscars, more importantly when the world is in the midst of a war that is being fought where violence is at the forefront of all actions by international governments.
This is not the first time that he has used violence as his only resource
In 2012 while promoting his Men in Black 3 movie, a Ukrainian reporter asked for a hug from the actor and proceeded to give a kiss to him in the cheek, Smith violently slapped him and walked away; he then boasted about it saying “‘I said, “Well, that’s why his a** got shtuck.”
I said, “Well, that’s why his a** got shtuck.
At this point, we can question if this could be the highest and lowest point in Will Smith’s career? He is commemorated for his outstanding performance in the film but at the same time shows how violent he can be when put in an uncomfortable situation.
Smith has been nominated in the past for the best actor category in 2007 for his role in “The Pursuit of Happiness” and in 2002 for his role as Muhamad Ali in the biopic.
Marca
