Hours before the Academy Awards, actor Sean Penn had seemingly set the tone for what could have been the subject of discussion at the 94th Academy Awards — he vowed to publicly melt his Oscar statuettes if the organising body declined to offer Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy a platform at the event. With a war raging in another part of the globe, it was assumed that matters pertaining to Ukraine and invading country Russia would form the crux of the evening’s gala. However, social media newsfeeds were painted red with another piece of information — Will Smith rushed on stage to slap presenter Chris Rock for making light of Jada Pinkett-Smith’s illness. “Jada, I can’t wait for GI Jane 2,” mocked Rock in a reference to the character of a Navy Seal who sports an almost-bald look. Smith’s wife Jada has been battling baldness due to the autoimmune condition, alopecia. While Smith seemed to initially laugh along, he reportedly became visibly upset after noticing Jada’s discomfort, and subsequently paced towards the stage.

Will Smith, with his award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for King Richard, with daughter Willow and wife Jada Pinkett Smith