As a legendary comedian himself, Jay Leno has a lot to say about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. While talking about a few of his own upcoming shows, Jay Leno offered his take on the slap that was heard around the world.
If you aren’t already aware, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on national television during the Academy Awards ceremony. Smith’s actions came after Rock made a G.I. Jane joke towards Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has been rocking a shaved head due to a battle with alopecia.
Jay Leno Says Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock Isn’t the Most ‘Disturbing’ Part
After slapping Rock in the face, Smith returned to his chair where he continued to yell at Rock, telling him to keep his wife’s name “out of his f*cking mouth,” two times. It was this part of the shocking scene that Leno found to be the most disturbing.
Leno explains that while the slap was uncalled for, he can understand having a rash reaction. However, after Will slapped Rock and had a second to compose himself, it was the decision to continue yelling at Rock that worried Leno.
“But you know, something Will is a good guy. I’ve known him a long time and it wasn’t the slap that bothered me because that’s reaction; that’s [he] was in the chair yelling obscenities where you go, ‘Whoa.’ And then to do it again. Well, I mean, you had a minute to clear your head there. You should have taken it and it didn’t clear,” Leno told WPTV.
“It didn’t clear again and went ‘Oh, you know, there’s some emotional thing going on here.’ And I hope I hope he gets it straightened out. I mean, [I don’t] make fun of him. I’m not making fun of him. I know him. He’s always been a decent guy, model citizen, good role model. There’s some emotional thing there [I] hope he gets it straightened out.”
“To me, the thing that’s most disturbing wasn’t the slap, because he was kind of smirking after he slapped [Rock],” Leno told the Palm Beach Daily News on Friday. “It was the yelling of the obscenities. Then you go, ‘Whoa. What’s going on here?’ This is real anger.”
Leno also told WPTV that open marriages don’t work. “Can we all come to the agreement, open marriages don’t work. Okay. I’m sorry. You know, if you just want to screw around, just screw around, but let’s not pretend that open marriages… and I’ve never, I’ve never seen one of those work out,” Leno added. “Maybe there’s people… that I again, I’m not I’m not forcing myself on anybody.”
Leno seemed to be worried about Smith who he called a “good guy.” He also questioned the Academy’s “investigation” into the slap.
“What are you investigating?” He added, “It had to be the most recorded assault in history. I saw the back of his shoe, I saw Chris’ ear. There were so many cameras on this incident. What are you investigating? I know sometimes things are just what they appear to be.”
As Mamas Uncut previously, Rock recently revealed he got his hearing back following the slap he received from Smith. Rock did not press criminal charges against Smith.
RELATED: Chris Rock Reveals He Can Finally Hear Again After Will Smith Slap
“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct,” Smith said in his resignation as a voting member of The Academy. “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.”
Smith has since been banned from the Oscars for 10 years. However, he can still be nominated and even win an Oscar during those years.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.