Chris Rock, the US comedian, has declined to file charges against Will Smith, the actor, for slapping him on stage.
Rock, had while hosting the 2022 Oscars on Sunday night, made a joke about Jada, Smith’s wife, and her bald appearance.
“Jada I love you, ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it,” he had said while referring to the 1997 film in which Demi Moore featured as a soldier with a shaved head.
Apparently cheesed off by Rock’s joke, Smith had walked to the stage and slapped the comedian.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your… mouth,” Smith yelled at him while returning to his seat.
In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said Rock has declined to file a report against Smith after the incident.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” the statement 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.”
Smith would later apologise over the incident during his speech after he won the best actor category of the awards.
His action has, however, triggered a wave of mixed reactions, with several Hollywood personalities and music stars weighing into the matter on Twitter.
Here are what some had to say:
