Jada Pinkett Smith Calls For a ‘Season of Healing’ Following Academy Award Incident

Jada Pinkett Smith Calls For a ‘Season of Healing’ Following Academy Award Incident

By Movieguide® Contributor

Jada Pinkett Smith broke her silence following Sunday’s incident involving husband Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 94^th Academy Awards.

During Rock’s presentation for Best Documentary Feature, Rock made a joke at Pinkett Smith’s expense, comparing her appearance to the fictional character G.I. Jane.

Smith then walked on stage and slapped Rock. Smith later accepted the Oscar for Best Actor in the title role of KING RICHARD about tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams.

Smith posted an apology on Instagram on Monday which included Rock, the Academy, the public, and the Williams family.

The message stated in part, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.”

Now, a few days after the awards ceremony, Pinkett Smith, who also served as executive producer on KING RICHARD posted this message on her Instagram which seems to address the incident: “THIS IS A SEASON FOR HEALING AND I’M HERE FOR IT.”

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A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)

Pinkett Smith lost her hair in a battle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes people to shed their body hair.

“Mama’s gonna have to take it down to the scalp so nobody thinks she got brain surgery or something. Me and this alopecia are going to be friends … period!” she previously said.

Rock’s joke, therefore, was not about a fashion choice, but Smith interpreted to be an attack on his wife’s health.

Smith’s actions marred a what was expected to be a celebratory occasion for all who were involved in the production of the family-centered KING RICHARD.

The movie was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Aunjanue Ellis’s portrayal of Brandy Williams.

Movieguide® praised KING RICHARD for its focus on family and Christian values:

KING RICHARD is a beautiful movie. The movie has heartfelt moments that will make audiences cry, and a moment later, the audience will laugh. The movie shows parents who care for their children, instilling God’s purpose in their lives and giving them confidence in their talents. Will Smith does a great job as Richard. He’s a loving father who prays in Jesus’ name, who protects his daughters from men who are trying to tempt them, and who constantly sacrifices for them and his family. Actress Aunjanue Ellis does an incredible job depicting the mother to Venus and Serena, She fights for her daughters every day and openly talks about serving God. Overall, this movie shows what it means to be a great parent and a great person of faith.

KING RICHARD is extremely well made and has a strong Christian, moral, pro-family worldview with positive messages of Christian faith, virtue and character. Viewers will become totally immersed in the story and will find the characters really appealing. However, the movie does have some hard scenes related to gang violence, including a father being beaten for protecting his daughter, and some foul language. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger viewers but encourages older audiences to see KING RICHARD.

KING RICHARD is nominated for a Movieguide® Award and will be honored in Movieguide®’s Movies That Inspire on the REELZ Channel on Easter Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.