Jada Pinkett Smith breaks silence on Oscars slapon March 29, 2022 at 7:26 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Ticket sales for Chris Rock’s shows have spiked after Will Smith struck him on-stage at the Oscars

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

Image source, Getty Images

Jada Pinkett Smith has broken her silence after the outcry over her husband slapping Chris Rock for making a joke at her expense.

In a brief post to Instagram, the actress wrote of a “season for healing” in apparent reference to the Oscars incident.

Her husband, Will Smith, was condemned by the awards organisers for hitting Rock.

He apologised on Monday, calling violence “poisonous and destructive”.

The incident Sunday night happened just before Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor, when the comedian Rock was on stage to present the award for Best Documentary.

He made a quip about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.

Pinkett Smith did not comment amid the furore and public debate that ensued over the merits of Rock’s joke and Smith’s actions until Tuesday, posting to Instagram: “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it”.

Rock has yet to comment publicly on what happened at the Oscars or Smith’s apology.

However, tickets for his upcoming comedy shows have reportedly skyrocketed in Sunday’s aftermath.

One live event ticketing site, TickPick, said on Monday that it sold more tickets the previous night than it did in the past month combined.

A spokesperson also told CBS that prices for an upcoming Rock show on Wednesday in Boston rose from $46 (£35.16) to $411 (£314).

More than half of all ticket sales for Rock’s tour – which went on sale a month ago – came after the incident at the Oscars. The vast majority – 88% – of ticket sales for Rock’s shows on the website over the last week came after the incident.

Shortly after the on-stage blow, Smith won his first ever Oscar for his portrayal of Richard William, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

Smith referred to Mr Williams in his tearful acceptance speech, calling him a “fierce defender of his family”.

On Monday, Mr Williams condemned Smith and expressed surprise that the incident had taken place.

“We don’t know all the details of what happened,” he told NBC through his son, Chavoita LeSane. “But we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self defence.”

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

‘How I escaped a hidden world of gangs and exploitation’on October 1, 2021 at 4:00 pm

Aliyah's smile conceals a lifetime of abuse - and experts warn her experience is all too common among a forgotten group of girls.

Dow touches session high as investors look forward to easing of coronavirus lockdowns

U.S. stocks were higher Monday, as coronavirus lockdowns began to ease in several countries and as the U.S. started to reopen or outline plans...

Barcelona charged with corruption over payments to former referees’ officialon March 10, 2023 at 4:52 pm

Barcelona are charged with corruption over payments the club made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee.Last month it...

Ukraine war: G7 pledges to stay with Ukraine until the endon June 27, 2022 at 4:04 pm

Under pressure to be united against Russia, the West promises support "for as long as it takes".Image source, ReutersLeaders of the world's seven richest...

Lord Janner: Police shut down MP child abuse investigations – reporton October 19, 2021 at 11:44 am

An inquiry finds police seemed "reluctant to investigate" claims against former MP Lord Janner.Image source, PA MediaPolice investigations into allegations of child abuse against...