Fans Think Will Smith Attack Will Be The Best Thing To Happen To Chris Rock's Career

While there were plenty of winners and best dressed celebrities at the 2022 Academy Awards, the only thing people are talking about the next day is the slap heard around the world. After Chris Rock made a joke at Jada Pinkett Smith's expense, her husband Will Smith went up onstage and hit Rock. After taking his seat, Will then ordered the comedian to "Keep my wife's name out of your f**king mouth."

During the commercial break, fellow actors Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry were seen calming Will, who went on to win the Best Actor award for his work in "King Richard." During his acceptance speech, Will apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but never mentioned Rock. "I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. You got to be able to have people talk crazy about you," he explained (per Variety). "In this business you got to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you got to smile and you got to pretend like that's okay."

For his part, Rock has so far declined to press charges, which has led some social media users to believe Will is getting away with assault. "Will Smith needs to be arrested for assault & permanently banned from the Oscars," wrote one Twitter user. But some think that the entire incident could be the best thing to happen to Rock's career.

While some people think Chris Rock should press charges against Will Smith for slapping him during the 2022 Academy Awards, others believe this could be a positive thing for the comedian's career. "Chris Rock preparing a full stand up comedy special on Will Smith and his wife," wrote one Twitter user. "And I am buying a ticket," responded another.

Fellow comedian Kathy Griffin defended Rock in a tweet, explaining, "Let me tell you something, it's a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters." And Rosie O'Donnell said it was "so upsetting – on every level – bravo to Chris Rock – for not eviscerating will smith – which he could do any day of the week – he walked away – bravo from a sad display of toxic masculinity from a narcissistic madman."

Luckily, it looks like Will and Rock managed to hash out their differences at the Vanity Fair post-Oscars — at least according to Sean "Diddy" Combs. "That's not a problem. That's over. I can confirm that," he told Page Six. "It's all love. They're brothers."