The actor got marred in a controversy after he slapped stand-up comic Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Will Smith was in the headlines last year when he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony.
The incident went viral and resulted in the actor being banned from the ceremony for a decade.
A recent video resurfaced indicating that the incident was not the first time Smith assaulted someone in public.

Actor Will Smith is not a stranger to being in headlines. While the Academy Award-winning actor is known for his blockbuster films and iconic performances, Smith is also known for his personal life and off-screen antics. The actor has made headlines many times with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

Last year, one of the most conversed-about topics was the infamous slap by Will Smith to Chris Rock, who took a dig at Pinkett Smith at the Oscars. The incident resulted in conversations about masculinity and increased public scrutiny of the couple and family. However, this was not the first time Smith slapped someone publicly.

Also read: “It took that slap for me to see”: Jada Pinkett Smith Shamelessly Confesses Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock Saved Her Relationship

Will Smith Slapped A TV Reporter In 2012

Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars

The feud between Will Smith and Chris Rock after the former slapped Rock at the Oscars for taking a dig at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith went viral. The Men in Black star was banned from attending the ceremony for ten years and issued a public apology to Rock as well as the audience. He also resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Smith’s ‘slap that was heard around the world’ was one of the most controversial incidents of last year. The slap started conversations about masculinity, rage, and the traditional roles of men and women. It was a subject of social media memes and jokes. Rock also referred to it during his stand-up specials.

Will Smith in Men in Black

However, it is no surprise that Will Smith resorted to such violence in public as he has done this before. In 2012, Smith slapped a TV reporter from the Ukrainian channel 1+1 during the premiere of Men in Black III. In the video, the reporter, who was revealed to be Vitalii Sediuk, tried to kiss Smith on the lips which resulted in a slap. Smith can be heard saying,

“Come on, man! What the hell is your problem, buddy?… He tried to kiss me in my mouth. He was lucky I ain’t sucker punched him. Sorry, I said that on camera!”
Though not a hard slap like the one he planted on Chris Rock at the Oscars, Smith still looks uncomfortable and angry.

Also read: Even the Director Knows a Will Smith Superhero Sequel is Doomed: “So many cooks in that particular kitchen”

Will Smith’s Penchant For Controversies

A still from King Richard

Will Smith’s life in the movies has had its share of wins and losses, with the losses mostly focused on his personal controversies. The actor was recently in the headlines as he was accused by his former assistant and friend Brother Bilaal accused him of being a homosexual and claimed that he had a relationship with co-star Duane Martin.

Smith dismissed these allegations and stated that he would be suing Bilaal for false allegations. He also came under fire after his wife Jada Pinkett Smith revealed in her memoir that the couple had been separated since 2016, though they were not divorced. The news came after Pinkett Smith’s relationship with rapper August Alsina.

Smith was also involved in a public feud with his The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Janet Hubert. The two actors reportedly did not get along with each other during the third season of the show and after she left, Smith allegedly spread word that the actress was difficult to work with. Hubert mentioned that she had trouble finding work due to these allegations.