Oscars 2022: Jim Carrey ‘sickened’ by standing ovation for Will Smith: ‘Hollywood is spineless’
The star ripped into “spineless” celebrities who rose to their feet for Will Smith when he won an Oscar, moments after assaulting Chris Rock on live television.
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Jim Carrey has slammed Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards — and hit out at the “spineless” audience of A-listers who gave the actor a standing ovation when he was named best actor moments later.
“I was sickened. I was sickened by the standing ovation,” Carrey told Gayle King in a “CBS Mornings” interview that aired in the US on Tuesday.
“Hollywood is just spineless en masse and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we aren’t the cool club anymore,” Carrey, 60, said of the audience’s response to Smith.
The “Dumb and Dumber” star added that Smith should have been arrested and sued over the assault.
“I’d have announced this morning that I was suing Will for 200 million dollars because that video is going to be there forever, it’s going to be ubiquitous,” Carrey claimed.
“That insult is gonna last a very long time.
“If you want to yell from the audience and show disapproval or say something on Twitter (that’s OK, but) you do not have the right to walk up onstage and smack somebody in the face ‘cuz they said words.”
Jim Carrey's integrity and respect for his craft as a comedian first talking about Will Smith narcissistic moment of shame #SticksandStonespic.twitter.com/UAecLj64UE
— M (@polymathos) March 29, 2022
King then suggested that the incident “escalated,” prompting Carrey to respond: “It didn’t escalate, it came out of nowhere because Will has something going on inside him that’s frustrated.”
The NY Post reports that Carrey and Smith have met on multiple occasions, with Carrey claiming he wishes no ill will toward the newly minted Oscar winner.
“I wish him the best, I really do… He’s done great things. But that was not a good moment.
It cast a pall over everybody’s shining moment,” the star declared. “It was such a selfish moment that cast a pall over the whole thing.”
Rock did not know about Jada Pinkett Smith’s medical condition when he made his “off-the-cuff” joke about her shaved head at the Oscars, it has been reported.
TMZ reports that comedian Rock was shocked and bewildered when Smith stormed the stage and slapped him after he made fun of Pinkett Smith, with an insider claiming that the comedian “doesn’t have a mean bone in his body”.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rock’s joke was unscripted and had not been vetted by producers of the Oscars ceremony in rehearsals. The comedian did an earlier rehearsal of his routine in front of Academy officials that didn’t include the gaffe, The Hollywood Reporter said.
The drama began when Rock took to the stage to present the Oscar for best documentary.
He kicked off his segment with a well-received joke about husband and wife Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz both being nominated.
Rock then segued into his now infamous joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia, which causes hair loss.
His joke referenced the 1997 move G.I Jane in which Demi Moore plays a bald Marine.
“Jada, I love you, G.I Jane 2 can’t wait to see it”, Rock said and Smith initially appeared to laughed it off before marching on stage.
He slapped Rock in the face before returning to his seat and repeatedly screaming: “Keep my wife’s name out your f**king mouth!”.
Watching in shock from the green room were several Academy organisers, Serena and Venus Williams, and fellow celebrities who were waiting to present upcoming awards, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Zoe Kravitz, Kevin Costner, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and John Travolta, the publication reports. “It went very quiet [in the green room],” a source told The Hollywood Reporter. “Everyone was like, ‘What the f**k is happening? Did that just happen? Oh my God!’ People were gasping.”
Smith’s longtime rep, Meredith O’Sullivan Wasson, was also backstage when the moment unfolded.
She was later seen on the telecast tearfully embracing the star when he came off stage after winning Best Actor shortly after his attack.
In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, the King Richard star apolgosied to Rock.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Smith wrote.
“My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of my job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” he said.
“I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
Smith then offered an apology to the Academy.
“I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world.
“I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family.
“I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.”
He ended his apology simply, with: “I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will.”
Earlier, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences condemned Smith’s actions and “officially started a formal review around the incident”.
Smith won Best Actor minutes after hitting Rock in the face for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith – and his initial response was bizarre.
The King Richard star appeared to make light of the incident on Instagram, saying: “you can’t invite people from Philly or Baltimore nowhere!”
And he captioned a photo of himself and Jada dressed up for the Oscars with the words, “got all dressed up to choose chaos”.
Oscars bosses are said to be in “full crisis mode” and were reportedly considering stripping Smith of his Best Actor award.
“There have been calls to have Will stripped of his Best Actor gong,” a source at The Academy told The Sun.
“They cannot be seen to be condoning violence in any way and there are some people in the Academy who believe they should remove the award from him to make a point.
“The Academy are taking this incredibly seriously.”
Serena Williams weighs in on her Insta story:#Oscars
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) March 28, 2022
pic.twitter.com/XYXcZ4v7uY
SMITH ‘PARTIED’ AFTER OSCARS SCANDAL
It was the incident that will go down as one of the most controversial moments in the history of the Oscars.
Hours after slapping and verbally abusing comedian Rock onstage at the Dolby Theatre, Smith appeared to have shrugged off his worries at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.
Inside the VIP event in Beverly Hills, Smith was mobbed by supporters and danced to his own song, Miami, as he celebrated his Academy Award win.
When asked by a Variety reporter how he was doing, Smith responded: “It’s all love.”
The King Richard star held his Oscar aloft as he and wife Jada Pinkett Smith — who had been the butt of Rock’s joke — danced and sang to Smith’s 90s solo hits Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It and Miami.
In a move only Hollywood could make up, Smith was named Best Actor after his violent outburst.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” a teary Smith said, as he returned to the podium to accept his Oscar after the jaw-dropping confrontation with Rock.
“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.
In an emotional speech, Smith said: “Making this film I got to protect Anuajune Ellis, I got to protect Sania and Demi, the actresses who played Venus and Serena.
“I am being called on in my life to love people and protect people,” a visibly teary Smith said.
“I know you have to be able to take abuse and have people disrespecting you and you have to smile and pretend like that’s OK, but Richard Williams … Denzel said to me a few moments ago, ‘at your highest moment, that’s when the devil comes for you.’”
Smith appeared to apologise for his altercation with Rock – though not to Rock himself.
“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 about being able to shine a light on all the people and the entire cast and crew of King Richard.
“Art imitates life, I’m like the crazy father, just like they said. But love will make you do crazy things.”
“Thank you, I hope the Academy invites me back.”
Sound from the ceremony’s telecast was dramatically cut when Smith attacked a stunned Rock.
Sean Combs aka Diddy entered the stage following the altercation, saying: “Will, and Chris we’re going to solve that like family at the gold party”, referring to a post-Oscars event.
Off camera, Smith was consoled by Bradley Cooper, Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry following the heated incident.
NICOLE KIDMAN SNUBBED
Nicole Kidman lost out on a second Best Actress Oscar to Jessica Chastain who won for The Eyes of Tammy Bakker.
Anthony Hopkins (“what a night, what more can be said”) presented the Best Actress award to Chastain, who won on her third nomination.
“Thank you so much to the Academy for this,” Chastain said.
She also paid tribute to her fellow nominees. “To be included in the category with you is such an honour.”
Chastain beat out former winners Olivia Colman, Penelope Cruz and Kidman, Kristen Stewart was also nominated for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer.
Her win came before CODA pulled off a shock upset by beating Power of the Dog to claim Best Picture.
The heartwarming film about a deaf family has thrilled audiences around the world in a time when we need something good.
Lady Gaga appeared on stage with a wheelchair-bound and exuberant Liza Minnelli to present the gong
“The public, they love you,” Gaga said to a beaming Minnelli.
“I’m honoured to end the evening with a true show business legend” Gaga said of Minnelli who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her Oscar-winning performance in Cabaret.
‘A LOT OF SNUBS’
An Australian cinematographer has claimed an Oscar, as the ceremony’s co-host delivered a provocative monologues at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Beyonce opened the Academy Awards with her nominated song, Be Alive, the theme from King Richard, the story of Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus.
The two tennis champs were on hand to introduce Queen Bey, who performed the song decked out in lime green on a tennis court.
The Oscars began with its hosts, Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall – with Schumer declaring, “this year the Academy hired three women to host because it’s cheaper than hiring one man”.
“A lot of snubs this year,” Sykes said of nominations, name-dropping Jared Leto and Lady Gaga. “The House of Random Accents,” she said.
She also said she “watched The Power of Dog three times,” but is still only “halfway through it”.
Hall had a crack at Space Jam 2 and the “hairline they gave LeBron James.”
“Black Twitter is gonna love that one,” Sykes said, to which Schumer asked, “What’s that?”
Schumer also poked fun at the controversial Golden Globes. “You know what’s in the in memorial package this year? The Golden Globes,” she said.
Before they signed off — and Schumer took the mic on her own — Sykes took a swipe at Florida.
“We have a great show and for the people in Florida, have a GAY NIGHT!”
Regina Hall called on Bradley Cooper, Timothee Chalamet, Tyler Perry and Simu Liu to come up on stage for a “Covid/single test”.
Will Smith “Jada’s given you a pass – get up here!” before also requesting Aussie star Jacob Elordi from HBO’s controversial Euphoria
“You’re legal, I mean positive,” she said to laughs from the audience.
The Oscar for Achievement in Sound, introduced by Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa, went to sci-fi epic, Dune.
AUSSIE WINS
Rose Perez, Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson appeared on stage together to rapturous applause to celebrate the 30th anniversary of White Men Can’t Jump.
“Nominated three times, it’s the most words I’ve ever said here. presenting is where it’s at,” Harrelson said.
The trio presented Best Cinematography, which went to Australian Greig Fraser for Dune.
“Mum, I will return your call, and to all my friends and family celebrating in Melbourne, thank you.”
“What is this?” she said.
Even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true,” said a teary DeBose.
DeBose thanked Steven Spielberg and West Side Story legend, 90-year-old Rita Moreno who was in the audience.
“I am an openly queer Latina,” she said. “I promise you this, there is indeed a place for us.”
CAMPION’S NIGHT
Jane Campion has won her first Best Directing Oscar for The Power of The Dog.
It is Campion’s second Oscar from five nominations.
The New Zealander beat a field that included Kenneth Branagh, Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Spielberg.
“Big love to my fellow nominees, you’re all so extraordinarily talented, it could have been any of you.
“Kia-ora, kia-ora, New Zealand and Australia,” Campion said.
“Thank you Academy, it’s a lifetime honour.”
And the Oscar for Best Original Song went to Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for No Time To Die.
CODA STAR’S HISTORIC VICTORY
Troy Kotsur has made history as the first deaf male to win an Oscar. He took out Best Supporting Actor for his stunning performance in CODA, the heartwarming story of a deaf fishing family in Massachusetts.
Kotsur and his CODA co-star Marlee Matlin are the only deaf actors to have won Oscars.
He beat Australian Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jesse Plemons, Ciarin Hinds, and JK Simmons.
“This amazing to be here – I can’t believe I’m here. It’s amazing that our film CODA has reached all over the world, even the White House. I planned on teaching Joe and Jill some dirty sign language.”
Kotsur thanked CODA’s director Sian Heder, for “being a bridge between the hearing world and the deaf world” while he also thanked his “biggest fans” – his wife and daughter.
Kotsur also spoke about his late father who was paralysed from the neck down after an accident and could no longer sign to his son.
“This is dedicated to the deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community, this is our moment,” Kotsur said.
“And for my mother, father and brother, who are no longer here to see this.”
Tracee Ellis Ross and Sean Mendes presented the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, which was won by Sian Heder for CODA.
“Oh my God, I’m so glad I dressed as a disco ball,” laughed Heder, who was accompanied by an ASL interpreter on stage.
“My incredible cast – you guys are incredible and you are my family.”
Australian-born Euphoria star Jacob Elordi presented the Oscar for achievement in visual effects to the team from Dune which, on early going, looks set to sweep the technical awards.
“When I was a kid growing up in Australia, I never thought I’d be standing on this stage,” Elordi said.
“Six days ago I never thought I would be,” joked West Side Story star Rachel Zegler. “Believe in your dreams, kids.”
Zegler, 20, was a late addition to the star-studded guest list after she revealed that she was not invited to attend, despite her film being nominated in seven categories, including Best Picture.
Many fans rallied around the young star — including Russ Tamblyn, who played Riff in the 1961 adaptation of the Broadway play — and the Academy later announced that Zegler would serve as a presenter during the ceremony.
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