Whoopi Goldberg has spoken out on the Will Smith-Chris Rock saga and what it means for the former’s career future. On the April 4 broadcast of The View, the 66-year-old diva said that she hopes the Men in Black actor will recover from the controversy surrounding his slapping of comedian Chris Rock at the Academy Awards last weekend.
Goldberg likened the scenario to Kanye West and Louis C.K. winning Grammys in 2022:
“Some people found it problematic, but the program didn’t contain anything as contentious as last week’s, which is good.”
She also said that several of Will Smith’s planned ventures had been called into doubt.
“Is there a way for him to get back? He does, of course. He’ll be well, and he’ll return. Don’t be concerned.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Whoopi Goldberg’s remarks come after Netflix and Sony canceled projects with which she was previously associated. Whoopi Goldberg earlier indicated that Rock, 57, “was the victim,” but that the Oscars administrators made the perfect call by not removing Smith from the star-studded event.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve witnessed chaos onstage, but it’s the first time we’ve seen someone attack somebody onstage.”
Whoopi Goldberg was alluding to the Will Smith vs. Chris Rock controversy at the 2022 Academy Awards.
The controversy to a head during last week’s gala when Chris Rock made a throwaway remark about Jada Pinkett Smith’s lack of hair. Pinkett Smith has spoken out about her alopecia, or hair loss condition.
New video showing Jada Pinkett loving Will Smith’s slap and laughing at Chris Rock’s reaction #WillSmithAssault #ChrisRock #Oscars pic.twitter.com/zERHYK96rf
— Old Mate (@usernameoldmate) April 1, 2022
The comic cracked a joke:
“Jada, I adore you. I can’t wait to see you, G.I. Jane 2.”
When her husband stepped on stage and slapped Chris Rock in front of a live global audience, audiences and live watchers across the globe were stunned. Rock remarked to Smith as he sat back down:
“Oh my goodness! Will Smith just punched me in the face.”
Smith shouted at Rock after returning to his seat to keep his spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, out of Rock’s content. Later in the evening, Smith won the Best Actor Award for his performance in King Richard. He apologized to his colleagues, the audience, and the Academy for his inappropriate conduct during his address. The following day, he apologized to Rock in writing. According to news sources, Smith and Rock have yet to connect.
Smith resigned from the Academy on April 1 in response to an inquiry by the Oscars. His resignation was accepted by the Academy. When they reassemble on April 18, they will continue with their disciplinary procedures against the actor for breaches of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct.
