Rob Lowe Confesses To Being ‘Happy’ About Will Smith’s Infamous Oscars Slap

Will Smith’s Oscars slap still has people talking, even four years later, with Rob Lowe looking back at one of the most shocking moments. The Rob Lowe Confesses To Being ‘Happy’ About Will Smith’s Infamous Oscars Slap first appeared on The Blast

Will Smith’s Oscars slap still has people talking, even four years later.

Rob Lowe recently looked back at one of the most shocking moments in Academy Awards history with a unique perspective. 

The actor admitted he felt a sense of relief when Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 2022 broadcast and explained how he thought the incident was going to benefit him.

Rob Lowe Joked That The Will Smith Incident Should’ve Saved Him From Academy History

During an interview, Lowe reflected on his long-standing connection to embarrassing award show moments following his infamous duet with Snow White at the 1989 Oscars. 

The actor joked that when he witnessed Will walk onstage and slap Rock over an unscripted joke regarding Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, he initially thought his own opening act was finally off the hook.

“When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, I was the only person happy. Because I was like, ‘Oh, good. So now that’s the worst moment in Oscar history,’” he said on SiriusXM’s “Andy Cohen Live!”

However, unfortunately for Lowe, it wasn’t the case. “But it turns out not really. Turns out I still am dragged, dragged every year,” he added.

Despite his initial hopes that the 2022 incident would permanently take the crown for the worst Oscars mishap, Lowe noted that critics and viewers still tease him decades after performing a movie-themed rendition of the song “Proud Mary” as a teenage heartthrob. 

Even though the performance drew widespread criticism over the years, Lowe shared that he did receive unexpected praise from comedy legend Lucille Ball, who commended his singing talent immediately afterward.

Will Smith’s On-Screen Co-Star Defended The Actor Following The Incident

Connecting back to the lingering reactions surrounding the viral incident, Will’s former colleagues also stepped forward to offer their perspectives on his actions.

Appearing on The Daily Beast’s “Obsessed” podcast, Oscar-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor addressed the 2022 Academy Awards confrontation and offered support for her “King Richard” co-star. 

“I know that he wanted to protect his wife,” she said, according to The Blast.

She reflected on her time working alongside him on the set of “King Richard,” and recalled his protective nature toward the cast and crew, noting that he refused to let anyone be mistreated in his presence.

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Chris Rock Opened Up About Making A Future Academy Awards Attendance

While colleagues continue to debate the aftermath of the 2022 confrontation, Rock has established clear conditions regarding his potential return to the Academy Awards stage.

Ahead of the premiere of his new film “Misty Green,”  Rock addressed whether he would ever return to host or attend the Oscars following the altercation with Will. The comedian stated that his time as host has likely passed and set a firm boundary for attending as a guest.

“I’m not going to say never, but my time might have passed, honestly,” he said, per The Blast.

Rock also added that the only way he would go back is if he got nominated, which he knows is likely not happening.

Chris Rock Also Addressed Infamous Incident in Comedy Special

Long before establishing conditions for his future award show appearances, Rock publicly confronted the incident in his 2023 Netflix comedy special.

During his live comedy special, he opened his performance with jokes about avoiding controversy and navigating sensitive topics. 

He dismissed the common notion that words inflict pain and referenced the physical impact of the slap while making it clear that he refused to view himself as a victim following the public moment:

“I’m going to try to do a show tonight without offending nobody. I’m going to try my best, because you never know who might get triggered.”

He added, “People always say words hurt. Anybody who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”

The Comedian Revealed A Past Rivalry Over Shared Romantic Interests

Adding a new perspective to the award show confrontation, Rock recently shared details about an old rivalry that has reignited discussions surrounding his history with the Smith family.

According to The Blast, he revealed a long-standing beef with legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, explaining that the two frequently competed over the same women. This revelation sparked speculation among fans due to Shakur’s close bond with Jada. 

The admission also resurfaced claims Jada made during a 2023 interview, where she recalled Rock asking her out on a date years prior amid divorce rumors. She explained that when she clarified she was still married, a surprised Rock immediately apologized.

She also noted that Rock approached her immediately following the 2022 Oscars incident to apologize for his onstage joke.

The Rob Lowe Confesses To Being ‘Happy’ About Will Smith’s Infamous Oscars Slap first appeared on The Blast