Slap Heard Around the World: An Old Video of Will Smith Resurfaces as Jada and Will’s Mom Speak Out

As people continue to debate the slap heard around the world, others are taking notice of a roughly 25-year-old video of Will Smith. In addition to the attention this video is receiving, Jada Pinkett Smith has also broke her silence.

Slap Heard Around the World: An Old Video of Will Smith Resurfaces as Jada and Will’s Mom Speak Out

As Mamas Uncut previously reported, on March 27, Will Smith shocked Hollywood and more when he slapped Chris Rock across the face over a joke. Rock had made a G.I. Jane joke in reference to Jada’s shaved head.

WARNING THE BELOW VIDEO FEATURES HARSH LANGUAGE:

And ever since Will’s outburst, the world has been divided while debating whether the actor’s reaction and actions were appropriate. But as Smith’s apology statement reveals, even he knows he was out of line.

After sharing his apology on Instagram, Smith wrote, “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 a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally. 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 would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees, and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”

As Mamas Uncut previously reported, in 2018, Jada was diagnosed with alopecia after experiencing hair loss. In a December 2021 Instagram video, Jada revealed the section of her scalp which no longer grows hair at all. As a result, the actress made the decision to shave her head completely.

In support of her mom’s health struggles, Willow Smith shaved her head as well. And Jada remains open about her hair loss journey.

Jada Pinkett Smith also broke her silence on the fiasco with a cryptic Instagram post that read, “This is a session for healing and I’m here for it.”

While Jada has been open about her struggle with alopecia, people were quick to share a video from Will Smith back in the 90s. The video is of Smith joking about a man who is bald.

The original tweet alleges that the man also suffers from alopecia but that cannot be confirmed. People are now comparing the joke Will made nearly 20 years ago to the one Chris Rock made at the Oscars.

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“No way you’re trying to equate making fun of a bald man to making fun of a bald woman,” one commenter wrote about the video. Many more further argued that the man could also have shaved his head because he prefers the look or he could have been dealing with male pattern baldness.

In the video, it appears as though the audience reacted a bit negatively to the joke as well, making some people think Will should have understood.

Adding to the list of shocked people is Will’s mother, Carolyn. “He is a very even, people person,” she told ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen him go off. First time in his lifetime… I’ve never seen him do that.”

“I know how he works, how hard he works…I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting,” Carolyn continued. “When I heard the name, I was just, ‘Yes!’ I am proud of him being him.”