Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock To Become Oscars 2023 Highlight?

Will Smith slapping Chris Rock turned into one of Oscar’s biggest controversies. And that means Jimmy Kimmel faces a question in planning his Oscars 2023 appearance. Because the host will need to decide if mentioning that memorable moment can help or hurt the situation.

However, Kimmel just spilled that he already has thought over the pros and cons. And his decision sparked a controversy of its own. Get all the details below.

Jimmy Kimmel Reveals If Will Smith Slap Could Star In Oscars 2023

Joke about it? Address it seriously? Or not even mention it? Oscars 2023 host Jimmy Kimmel shared that he has begun planning the ceremony highlights. And he seems convinced that he can manage the topic of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, reported Yahoo.

“It’s got to come up in some way,” pointed out the late night talk show host. As a result, Kimmel feels that he needs to plan far in advance for his emcee role during the 95th annual Academy Awards. But the 55-year-old also shared the need for care. “You know, I don’t want to really make light of it necessarily,” he added. “Because it wasn’t [light] to comedians.”

And Kimmel also shared some comedians’ anger at the situation. But after noting that he found nothing funny about Smith slapping Rock, Jimmy also recalled another challenge he handled. And the talk show host recalled how the wrong winner got announced during one of his years hosting.

Oscars Controversy Overshadowed Humor In 2022

Unplanned-for incidents inevitably happen at awards shows. For instance, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway erred in announcing La La Land as the best picture winner at the 2017 ceremony. But that doesn’t compare to Smith slapping Rock. And the last Academy Awards hosting trio (Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes) faced the challenge of continuing after the controversy. 

The drama began when Rock, 57, joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut. And Smith, 54, walked up to the stage and slapped Rock across the face. He also yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out your f–king mouth!” However, Smith received the best actor trophy that same night for his role in King Richard.

Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the 2023 #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/wssztZmUTQ

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 7, 2022

A day after the ceremony, Smith apologized to Rock. And he later resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. However, officials then banned Smith from any events related to the Oscars for the next decade. But ABC exec Craig Erwich proclaimed the 2022 awards show as a success.

“My assessment of the Oscars was that it was really a successful year for the show,” said the ABC exec. “Obviously there was a lot of controversy, which overshadowed a lot of the positive things about the show,” added Erwich. “But I was really happy with the program. Even before that very unfortunate moment, the show started off up year over year. And we came back in a big way.”

Tell us what you think. Do you feel that Jimmy Kimmel should mention Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2023 Oscars? Or do you think that he should avoid the topic? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more celebrity news. 

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