Will Smith’s Mom Caroline Says Oscars Slap Is the ‘First Time’ She’s Seen Him ‘Go Off’: He’s ‘Very Even’
29.03.2022 - 18:19
/ usmagazine.com
Not like him? Will Smith‘s mother, Caroline Bright, is addressing her son’s behavior at the 2022 Oscars — and she’s just as surprised as the rest of the world.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen him go off. First time in his lifetime,” she told local Philadelphia news outlet WPVI after the Sunday, March 27, awards show, calling her 53-year-old son “a very even people person” in his daily life. “I’ve never seen him do that.”
Smith raised eyebrows during the 94th annual Academy Awards on Sunday when he got out of his seat and slapped Chris Rock in the face in response to a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head. The comedian, 57, quipped that Pinkett Smith, 50, should be cast in a sequel to Demi Moore‘s 1997 movie G.I. Jane — but the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum believed Rock crossed the line.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth,” he shouted when he returned to the audience and sat beside the Red Table Talk host, who has been candid about her experience with alopecia and hair loss.
Us Weekly confirmed on Monday, March 28, that Rock did not file an official report with the Los Angeles Police Department after the incident. Smith, for his part, was spotted dancing the night away at an Oscars afterparty following his big best actor win for his role in King Richard.
While the altercation quickly became the most talked-about moment from the ceremony, Bright is more proud of the Will author’s latest addition to his trophy cabinet. “I know how he works, how hard he works,” she told WPVI. “I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting. When I heard the name, I was just [like], ‘Yes!'”
Smith struggled to hold back tears during his emotional acceptance speech, during which he spoke about protecting his family at all costs.