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StudyFinds.com survey shows that while 66 percent say Smith should be arrested, 62 percent think the slap was justified
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Was it real? 58 percent believe incident was staged
NEW YORK — Will Smith’s slap across the face of comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars will sadly live on forever as one of the most unforgettable moments in Academy Awards history. After Rock mocked the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia, Smith’s shocking response spoiled what would have otherwise been perhaps the pinnacle of his storied career. Fans and celebrities alike have been quite vocal about the incident, with many taking sides in the spat between the two Hollywood heavyweights. Now, a new StudyFinds.com poll shows that two in three Americans think Smith should be actually be charged for his admittedly violent reaction.
That’s not to say that most people are taking Rock’s side either. More than three quarters (76.5 percent) feel that making fun of Pinkett Smith was inappropriate. Interestingly, nearly half of men (48 percent) think the joke was uncalled for, compared to 38 percent of women.
The survey of 1,003 adults, conducted by OnePoll, took place hours before Smith publicly apologized to Rock on social media Monday. Smith, named Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the movie “King Richard,” wrote on Instagram that he couldn’t handle hearing his wife insulted.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize 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.”
The actor went on to apologize to his fans, the Academy, and the family of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
Book him, maybe?
But will the apology be enough to change the minds of those calling for criminal charges? In the StudyFinds.com poll, respondents were asked whether or not they agreed that Smith should be charged by the LAPD with assault for the incident. Two-thirds at least “somewhat” agree that charges are necessary, including 36 percent who “strongly” agree. Conversely, 14 percent disagree, while about 21 percent weren’t sure.
Here’s where things get a bit weird, leaving us scratching our heads. While so many respondents feel Smith should be booked for assault, nearly just as many agree that his behavior was justified! In all, 62.2 percent of respondents at least somewhat felt that the actor had good reason for gettin’ slappy with it. Once again, 36 percent strongly agree, and just 14 percent either somewhat or strongly disagree.
And when asked whether or not they think the whole thing was staged, 30 percent strongly believe it was and another 28 percent are “somewhat” convinced it was all scripted. One in five respondents (21 percent) say they’re not sure, while 21.5 percent think it’s real. Again, this took place before Smith’s apology, which could have swayed more folks to feel confident it wasn’t a hoax.
How Americans view Will Smith and Chris Rock after the Oscars’ slap
As for how the slap-seen-round-the-world impacted the way people view the two men, it’s clear Americans are…confused? We asked if respondents had a more favorable or less favorable perception of each star. Strangely enough, 57 percent say they see Will Smith in a more favorable light, and 60 percent feel the same way about Chris Rock. Similarly, 27 percent haven’t changed their opinion of Smith, versus 30 percent of respondents when it comes to Rock.
On the other hand, just 16 percent have a more negative perception of Smith now, compared to 10 percent for Rock.
So apparently most people want to see Will Smith charged, but also think he was justified and like him more now. Oh, and 58 percent of respondents also think he should be banned from the Oscars for good (just 18 percent disagree). Yeah, we don’t get it either.
As for what happens moving forward, it seems that sleeping on it led Smith to release his apology. We haven’t yet heard from Rock, but we hope cooler heads will prevail and this whole wild incident will be water under the bridge for Rock, and the Smith family. The last thing this country needs right now is one more seemingly irreparable dose of anger and divisiveness.
Video Summary: Should Will Smith go to jail? We asked 1,003 people.
As a feminist, the notion of a man fighting on a woman’s behalf is antiquated. Grow up. It’s 2022. The woman is strong enough to take care of the matter without being dominated by the men. And I am male.
Chris rock only thinks himself funny. I have all ways seen him as a jerk. I applaud Will Smith. However it should not have been a slap. He should have knock his teeth out. Do not ever ask rock to be the MC ever again.
Will Smith stood up for his woman, who was clearly horrified by Rock’s so-called jokes. I respect him for that.
If he had assaulted Wanda Sykes instead of Chris Rock, what would have happened? Because he hit a man, there’s a debate over whether he should have been removed and arrested?
He should have been hauled out the minute it happened. They should have stopped the show, went to music or a commercial, and removed him. And he should never be invited back.
“I reacted emotionally,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize 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.””
I will quote the great philosopher and actor Will Smith:
“I’m sorry, I’m allergic to bullshit.”
When Chris Rock told the “joke” regarding Jada, Will immediately laughed. It was apparent that Jada did not find the joke funny. Then realizing that he has to make amends to Jada for laughing at the joke, he walks up to the stage and strikes Chris Rock. He then strides back to the table where he and Jada were sitting and proceeds to start using profanity. Chris Rock took the high road and proceeded to make his presentation. While the camera was on Chris, Will Smith should have been removed from the room. When his name was announced for winning the award for Best Actor, someone else could have “accepted” for him. He should not have been allowed to remain at the event. Will Smith obviously feels that he can do what he wants, whenever he wants and to whomever he wants without consequences. I feel that his actions during the Oscars was disgraceful. This many is in his fifties. He’s not a child nor a novice to the industry. To try to compare himself to Richard Williams was an insult to Mr. Williams. Will Smith showed his true colors. His apology was only submitted the following day when he realized he was not being hailed as a hero for his actions. There were so many positives happening that night showing diversity, acceptance and acknowledgment of true talent. Will Smith has shown at least 200 countries what an ass=hole, he truly is.
Ok, admittedly I’ve had a lot to drink and it’s very late and I’m blue collar and worked a 12 hour shift today so my intelligence level is low to begin with plus the mitigating factors may leave me suspect but….
Is the math off in this article? 76.5% of people surveyed find Rock was inappropriate with his joke. But then it lists 48 percent of men and 38 percent of women surveyed found the joke uncalled for. If less than half the men and less then half the women think that then how is it more than half of them combined (76.5%) think the same?!? Again, admittedly, I’m not smart so I’ll need a Kamala here.
Oh and by the way 100% of data analysts say that 75% of reported data can be manipulated by the way that 50% of the questions are asked resulting in 25% of the responses being 50-75% in error leading to a big fat nothing in this survey who is even still reading this comment?
If Will Smith is not officially charged for his conduct, it’ll leave the door open for future assaults against comedians in any public event, a joke is a joke if you don’t like just stand up and leave, it’s a matter of fact in the video he was laughing at the first place then he turned and looked to Jada then reacted, the true is I don’t have any respect for him anymore, after all his actions about the August Alsina “Entanglement” with Jada, and now this disgraceful public behavior at this event, the world have seen an asshole in action I think his Oscar should be revoke.
And us normal people don’t give a )_(&_*&.
Will Smith is a total thug, and all those scumbags that gave him a standing ovation need to be slapped twice over. Arrest that POS and take away that Oscar too. What a total scumbag. Anyone bigger than Chris Rock and that little bitch would have stayed inches chair fuming. Punk!
Will Smith was in the right, Jada Pinkett Smith was publicly embarrassed by Chris Rock in front of viewers, in the audience, and on live TV. Will Smith had the courage to defend his wife’s honor by returning the embarrassment to Chris Rock. I applaud Will Smith for defending his wife. Will Smith should not lose his award, nor be reamended. Will Smith worked hard to earn his academy award. Don’t take this away from him. Thank you, Will Smith, for being there for your wife and protecting her. This is a husband’s true love for his wife. As for Chris Rock, you may be a comedian, however, be more cautious speaking about people’s families. Will Smith, you don’t need to apologize to anyone, stand your ground!!
Will Smith was just wrong, period. He and the network deserve to be sued by Chris Rock for Workers Compensation and everything that Will Smith owns.
Who bloody cares? Next time let them go at each other with axes.
The entire episode was staged. Chris Rock is a comedian, but also an actor, knows how to follow a script. Absolutely no move to defend himself, run, get out of the way…. NOTHING. This is no different than someone assaulted in a movie, it’s scripted, practiced, and agreed upon prior.
Hollywood is dying, (ANYTHING for attention), what you’re seeing is the death throes.
Remember… even with “the slap” it was the 2nd worst rated Oscars in history.
Where’s the block to vote – People who wasted their time to watch the whole Oscar Show should be slapped? Watching for hours a bunch of overly paid ego’s of high school drama students parade around slapping each other on the back and telling each other how the world needs them. In my life I’ve needed doctors, dentists, auto mechanics, store clerks & tow truck drivers but I’ve never needed one Hollowood actor’s advice on any topic.
Chris Rock did not insult Will’s wife, in fact, it seemed more like a compliment. Demi Moore was absolutely beautiful with her shaven head in GI Jane and Jada should have taken that as compliment that he thought she could be GI Jane 2. Chris Rock was not insulting her in any way. In fact, Will thought it was funny until he saw the look on his wife’s face and the rolling of her eyes, then, and only then, he felt like he had to be the macho man and defend his woman, what an idiot. He showed absolutely no class and made an ass out of himself. He should have been escorted out, arrested for public violence, that would send a message that that behavior will not be tolerated, no matter who you are (or who you think you are).
I don’t know. I mean Chris Rock didn’t even know she had alopecia. I didn’t either. The offenses are not equal at all. I don’t know about charged but I think it’s more like 4 out 5 feel Will Smith was in the wrong
Totally fake. They are actors you know. I can’t imagine that anyone with an IQ larger than their shoe size would watch this farce called The Oscars where a bunch of egotistical morally bankrupt morons gather to pat themselves on the back, or give a flying big “F” what these people say or do.
I think Chris Rock should apologize!!! I suffer from alopecia and have often felt like slapping the crap out of somebody for their comments. Whether he knew it or not for a most women their crowning glory is their hair. From what I read, he has spoken to other women with this condition and was well aware of how it can traumatize. Yes, you get to a point where enough is enough and Chris should apologize to Jada and Will.
Will Smith should go to jail, lose the oscar, and no longer be allowed at the Oscars. Worst jokes have been given at previous Oscars, it comes with the territory. No one should ever assault another individual. If this goes unpunished I will never watch the Oscars again.
Will needs to be punished. He should be perhaps given the choice of either donate $1,000,000.
to a charity dealing with the homeless or his membership in the Academy being suspended for 10 years.
Jorge S