Stars’ shocked reactions to Will Smith Oscars slap

One photo has captured the moment a clutch of shocked Hollywood A-listers found out about the Will Smith slap drama at an Oscars’ after-party.

A picture taken at an Oscars after-party has purportedly shown the moment a bevy of Hollywood A-listers learned of the Will Smith fracas.

Stars including Sienna Miller and Taika Waititi can be seen in shock as they scroll social media.

Chris Rock was slapped in the face by Smith during the awards ceremony on Sunday evening US time after the comedian made a joke referencing the shaved head of the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Last year, she announced she would shave her hair after she was diagnosed with alopecia.

Many at the Oscars seemed perplexed about the incident and questioned whether it was genuine or some kind of show skit.

Minutes later, Smith received the gong for best actor for his role as Richard Williams in the film King Richard to a standing ovation.

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Will Smith slaps US actor Chris Rock onstage during the Oscars on Sunday. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

At the Vanity Fair after-party, the image of the stars’ reaction to the Oscars moment was snapped by the magazine’s fashion writer Derek Blasberg.

“Meanwhile, this is everybody at my table at the Vanity Fair Oscar dinner maniacally googling WTF Will Smith just said to Chris Rock,” he wrote on Instagram.

Actor Sarah Paulson can be seen gasping as she reads her phone while Miller, filmmaker JJ Abrams and director Ron Howard look on.

Kiwi director and Oscar winner Waititi can be seen looking shocked directly to the camera. Although from the look of it, his expression could be more mock shock.

Actor Jason Bateman smiles from the other side of the table, possibly unaware of the drama that’s unfolded.

The altercation overshadowed Smith’s win and the entire Oscars ceremony.

In a rambling acceptance speech, Smith apologised to the Academy but not to Rock.

He then said he was a “vessel for love”.

Smith appeared to compare his actions to that of the person he played in King Richard.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family.

“I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”

In the entertainment industry, Smith said, actors are forced to “take abuse” as “people talk crazy about you”.

In a statement, the Academy said it “does not condone violence of any form”. But there was no direct reference to Smith or Rock.

On Monday, the Academy went further saying it “condemned” Smith hitting Rock and would launch a formal review.

After the Oscars outburst, Smith headed to the famous Vanity Fair after-party and seemed in good spirits.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed Rock had “declined to file a police report”, according to Variety.

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” a statement from the LAPD read.

“The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”