Stars who were both in attendance and watching had a lot to say about the drama — from Chris Rock’s “joke” to Will Smith’s slap. See how celebrities reacted to the incident:
Leslie Odom Jr.
The Hamilton star (American actor and singer) weighed in on the incident: “This business can sometimes feel like walking around with your skin ripped off, you know? It’s a very vulnerable thing. And so I think we saw two artists with their hearts open. It’s a vulnerable moment, sometimes it’s messy but it’s always beautiful when it’s the truth.”
Judd Apatow
The American comedian, director, producer and screenwriter Judd Apatow tweeted multiple times about the moment and strongly condemned the violence. “Alert – @amyschumer do not go to the @VanityFair party. Will Smith wants to talk to you about the monologue. Chris— I think you should take him for all his King Richard, I mean, Hitch money. #Oscars.” He later referenced Questlove, writing, “@questlove who deserved his moment without that toxic nonsense before him. I’m glad Chris is ok. Will learned nothing training for Ali. Will Smith’s punches are as soft as his raps. #Oscars.”
Nick Viall
Nicholas Joseph “Nick” Viall is an American actor, television personality and model, told that the Oscars moment was “way more dramatic” than the reality dating show. “He walked up on stage and slapped him,” Viall said at the 30th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday. “I think most people just wondered if it was like a bit or a joke, if it was fake. I think pretty quickly we realized it was serious.”
The ABC personality noted that the situation was “unfortunate” on several levels. “Chris Rock is there to be a comedian. He tells jokes, obviously, you know, there’s always going to be some at the expense of people. … Everyone has a right to feel though how they feel, and we have our hurt feelings, but how we handle our hurt feelings matters,” Viall said. “I don’t know if Will handled it the best. But his performance [in King Richard] was amazing. Congrats to him for winning the Oscar, certainly well-deserved in his performance. It just — I feel like it took away from his moment. I feel like more people are going to be talking about that than his award. And that’s unfortunate for everyone.”
Jimmy Kimmel
James Christian Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. “I know the big story is the slap, but congratulations to @amyschumer @iamwandasykes & Regina Hall who were very funny,” the comedian, who previously hosted the Oscars in 2017 and 2018, tweeted on Sunday. “I hope that isn’t overshadowed by the unpleasantness #Oscars.”
David Spade
David Wayne Spade (born July 22, 1964) is an American actor, stand-up comedian, television host, and writer. “A GI Jane joke???” Spade tweeted of his Grown Ups costar’s quip.
Paul Scheer
Scheer is a SAG award-winning actor known for his roles in Showtime’s comedy series Black Monday and FX/FXX’sThe League wrote via Twitter, “Hopefully some eye witnesses will step forward,” as the LAPD noted in a statement that they didn’t “have any details about the incident.”
Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish (born December 3, 1979) is an American stand-up comedian, actress and author, told the Los Angeles Times: “I think Chris was messy. As a woman who had a husb, I wish my husb wld have stood up 4 me the way (Will) stood up for (Jada),”. “That’s what every woman wants, right? She was hurt. And he protected his wife. And that’s what a man is supposed to do.”
Amy Schumer
Amy Beth Schumer (born June 1, 1981) is an American stand-up comedian and actress: “I’ve been getting out of that Spider-Man costume. Did I miss anything?” she joked after Will’s win. “There’s, like, a different vibe in here.”
Jaden Smith
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born July 8, 1998), is an American rapper and actor, the son of Will and Jada: “And That’s How We Do It”.
Conan O’Brien
Conan Christopher O’Brien (born April 18, 1963) is an American television host, comedian, writer, podcaster, and producer, joked via Twitter. “Just saw the Will Smith slap. Anyone have a late night show I can borrow just for tomorrow?”.
Billy Eichner
Billy Eichner is an American actor, comedian and producer, tweeted in response to the surprising moment. “I’m getting under my couch.”
Sophia Bush
Sophia Anna Bush (born July 8, 1982) is an American actress, activist, director, and producer, shared on Twitter: “Violence isn’t ok. Assault is never the answer,” “Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.”
Shanola Hampton
Shanola Hampton (born May 27, 1977) is an American actress best known for her role as Veronica Fisher on Showtime dramedy Shameless, tweeted: “There is NEVER a justification for VIOLENCE! Never, ever, ever!!”.
The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers is an American electronic DJ and production duo. “Will smith just fully sent it and punched Chris rock in the face on the Oscar’s,” Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart tweeted.
Cher
Cher is an American singer, actress and television personality, wrote: “WENT OUT OF RM & MISSED REASON FOR WILL’S PUNCH..JUST SAW IT, BUT STILL NOT SURE WHY.”
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx (born September 16, 1963) is an American adult contemporary and pop rock singer-songwriter, tweeting, “I like Oscar winners who don’t slap comedians across the face over a joke.”
Mirai Nagasu
Mirai Aileen Nagasu is an American figure skater. She is a 2018 Olympic Games team event bronze medalist, tweeted, enjoying the fact that the incident: “Hahaha thank you Japanese television”.
