Introduction
Jim Carrey, currently promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 2, recently took a dig at Will Smith, who received a standing ovation for winning the Best Actor award at the Oscars. Carrey expressed his disappointment in Hollywood for giving Smith a standing ovation, citing the actor’s altercation with Chris Rock earlier that night.
Background
Smith won the Best Actor award at the Oscars for his exceptional performance in “King Richard.” However, just a few minutes before receiving the award, he got into a tiff with comedian Chris Rock. Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, which she had shaved off the previous year due to alopecia.
Jim Carrey’s Criticism
“I was sickened,” Carrey told CBS’ Gayle King. “I was sickened by the standing ovation. Hollywood is just spineless en masse, and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we aren’t the cool club anymore.”
Carrey said Smith “should’ve been” escorted out of the Oscars ceremony after he slapped Rock. King noted that Chris Rock declined to file a police report about the incident, but Carrey claimed that was only because the comedian “didn’t want the hassle.”
“I’d have announced this morning that I was suing Will for $200 million because that video is going to be there forever, it’s going to be ubiquitous,” Carrey said. “That insult is gonna last a very long time. If you want to yell from the audience and show disapproval or say something on Twitter [that’s fine].
But you do not have the right to walk up on stage and smack somebody in the face because they said words… [The slap] came out of nowhere because Will has something going on inside him that’s frustrated.
I wish him the best. I have nothing against Will Smith. He’s done great things, but that was not a good moment. It cast a shadow over everyone’s shining moment last night…It was a selfish moment.”
My Take
I think Jim Carrey’s criticism of Will Smith is too extreme. While I understand that he was upset by the incident, suggesting that Smith should have been escorted out of the ceremony is too much.
However, Carrey does make a valid point about the standing ovation given to Smith. It isn’t easy to discern whether it was a real show of support or simply an attempt to brush over the incident with Chris Rock. As someone who values honesty and transparency, I believe that Hollywood needs to hold its stars accountable for their actions and not overlook inappropriate behavior.
FAQ
What did Chris Rock say that led to the altercation with Will Smith?
Chris Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, which she had shaved off the previous year due to alopecia.
Why did Jim Carrey criticize Hollywood for giving Will Smith a standing ovation?
Jim Carrey felt that the standing ovation given to Will Smith was a sign that Hollywood was spineless and that Smith’s behavior towards Chris Rock should not have been overlooked. He believed it sent the wrong message to the public and that Hollywood should be held accountable for its stars’ actions.
Source: Celebitchy
