Jada Pinkett Smith acknowledged the controversy surrounding her husband Will Smith, who shocked Hollywood and the entire world by slapping comedian Chris Rock at this year's Oscars. During the first episode of "Red Table Talk," Pinkett Smith said that the infamous incident would be discussed later.
At the start of Wednesday's Facebook Watch show, Pinkett Smith issued a statement, saying, "Considering all that has happened in the last few weeks, the Smith family has been focusing on deep healing. Some of those discoveries around our healing will be shared at the table when the time calls."
Pinkett Smith added that until then, the table would continue offering itself to powerful, inspiring, and healing testimonies like that of their incredibly impressive first guests.
NBC News reported that the show returned on Wednesday, April 20, for its fifth-season premiere with Pinkett Smith joined around the iconic red table by her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris; her daughter Willow Smith; and their first guest, singer and actor Janelle Monáe.
Oscars slap triggered by Chris Rock's G.I. Jane joke
The teaser for the new season of Red Table Talk did not suggest any comment would be made about the Oscars scandal that engulfed Will Smith. The onstage incident at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 27 that stunned the world happened after Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith. Rock said that he was looking forward to seeing Pinkett Smith in the movie "G.I. Jane 2."
Pinkett Smith revealed back in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called alopecia, a condition that causes severe hair loss. The movie "G.I. Jane" featured Hollywood star, Demi Moore. She played a woman who shaved her head during military service.
Cinema Blend reported that Will Smith came on stage shortly after and slapped Rock. Upon getting back to his seat, he yelled at Rock, shouting, "Keep my wife's name out your f***ng mouth!" twice. Rock was understandably rattled by Smith's slap but managed to get himself together after a few seconds and deliver the rest of his Oscars presentation.
Joke about Jada's medical condition too much for Smith to bear
Los Angeles Police announced after the ceremony that Rock declined to press charges against Smith. The King Richard star apologized to Rock in a statement the day after the Oscars, saying he was "out of line" and "embarrassed" with his actions.
Smith added that jokes at his expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for him to bear, and he reacted emotionally. According to a report by CNN, he resigned days later from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was banned by the group from attending the Academy Awards for ten years.
Smith said that he accepts and respects the Academy's decision. Pinkett Smith broke her silence two days after the slap, writing on Instagram that this is a season for healing, and she is here for it.
