When the world was preparing for the 94th Academy Awards, it was believed to be yet another night of the same old bore that we have been served for the past few years. However, things took a rather unlikely turn when Chris Rock and Will Smith found themselves in a rather peculiar exchange. The internet is currently flooded with reactions and talks about the “infamous” slap echoing even right now, after hours of the event’s conclusion. However, there are many people who desire to know the reason the Oscar-winning actor landed a blow on the comedian.

Amidst all the steam and laughter around the incident, it is indeed important to sit back and see why exactly it all happened. Hence, here is a breakdown of everything that happened at the 94th Academy Awards, and why it all came down to that one slap.

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock over a joke about his wife

It was the time to present the best documentary award when comedian Chris Rock arrived at the stage to announce the winner. And, of course, in classic Chris fashion, he was making jokes ahead of declaring the winner in the category. While cracking jokes about many things, the comedian also cracked one about Bright star Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. While the actor was first seen laughing at the start of the joke, his expressions changed when he looked at his wife. Jada was seen rolling eyes over the joke and was visibly upset by the same.

“Javier Bardem and his wife are both nominated. Now, if she loses, he can’t win,” Rock started his piece. “He is praying that Will Smith wins, like, please, lord. Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it, all right?” The joke received a decent response. Rock added: “That was a nice one!”

Soon after noticing his wife’s face, Will Smith went up to the stage and landed a tight slap on Chris Rock’s face. As Smith got back in his seat, the entire auditorium witnessed a pin-drop silence. Breaking it came Will’s words, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fu****g mouth.”

Why did Will slap Chris?

The reason Will had to go up and slap Chris Rock was that the joke offended his wife. Jada has been vocal about her problems and hardships because of her alopecia disease. Which is also the reason for her hair loss. And the joke didn’t sit well with her. She had to cut her hair short owing to the disease, as a handful of hair was falling off of her head. “It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking in fear. That’s why I cut my hair, and why I continue to cut it,” she had previously said.

Do you think Will Smith’s decision to slap Chris Rock was justified? Let us know in the comments below.