Jada Pinkett Smith Thought Will Smith Oscars Slap Was a ‘Skit,’ Reveals They Were Separated for Six Years Before That: ‘We’re Still Figuring Out’ Our Marriage

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Jada Pinkett Smith is finally ready to talk about the Will Smith Oscars slap, revealing to People magazine that she originally thought it was a skit when Will took to the stage after presenter Chris Rock made a joke about Jada’s bald head.

Rock was presenting the Oscar for best documentary feature at the time. It’s the first time Jada has addressed the slap outside of posting an Instagram graphic just after the slap that read: “This is the season for healing.

And I’m here for it.” “I thought, ‘This is a skit,’” Jada said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way that Will hit him.’ It wasn’t until Will started to walk back to his chair that I even realized it wasn’t a skit.” Once the two were alone, Jada said she asked Will: “Are you okay?” “I’m going to be by his side,” Jada added to People about the slap, “but also allow him to have to figure this out for himself.” Rock’s joke about Jada’s bald head proved divisive because of her public battle with alopecia.

Will reacted by taking to the stage and slapping Rock across the face. He returned to his seat and yelled at Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.” Smith, who went on to win the Oscar for best actor that same night, ended up resigning from the Academy amid backlash to the slap.