Actress Leslie Jones recently claimed that actor Chris Rock had to go to counseling with his daughters after the Oscars slap heard around the world, in which Will Smith slapped the comedian mid show. Now, actor Sean Penn’s controversial commentary on the matter is resurfacing amid Jones’ claims.
Sean Penn is known for his multifaceted nature–his starring roles in “Mystic River” and “Milk”, his high-profile relationship with Madonna, and foreign human rights activism. Penn is also known for his history of controversial statements and domestic violence charges and allegations, many of which have been perceived as homophobic and generally inappropriate in contemporary pop culture.
On the matter of Smith’s slap, Penn reflected upon his own prior arrest over his own spat. Penn was arrested in 1987 for punching and spitting on an extra on a film set. In a recent interview with Variety, Penn claimed that he should not have been arrested for what he did because it was no worse than Smith’s actions.
“I don’t know Will Smith. I met him once. He seemed very nice when I met him. He was so f*cking good in ‘King Richard.’ So why the f*ck did you just spit on yourself and everybody else with this stupid f*cking thing? Why did I go to f*cking jail for what you just did? And you’re still sitting there? Why are you guys standing and applauding his worst moment as a person?”
Penn’s comments are being met with widespread criticism.
Social Media Reactions
Many feel that Smith’s slap and Penn’s punch are not the same offense. Penn has a history of domestic violence, including reports from his marriage to Madonna. Smith does not have a history of violence. Additionally, some are pointing out that Smith was never arrested because Rock did not press charges, while the extra who Penn punched and spit on did press charges years ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sean Penn has a history of violence not just towards Madonna, The dude charged with felony domestic assault because he beat his wife .Sean's criminal record is too damn long to be talking . pic.twitter.com/EyxZ5mwA66
— ????????????????????????????????️❥????????????????✰ᵇᵘⁿⁿʸ✰ (@Suvarna_17) September 18, 2023
Chris didn't press charges, that's why he didn't go to jail. Mind your business.
— YellowsClub (@yellowsclub) September 18, 2023
Elsewhere, some urged people to leave Penn out of the conversation, as it could only be adding fuel to the fire.
Will Smith Chris Rock Slapgate
Comedian Chris Rock was presenting an award at the Oscars in 2022 when he cracked a joke about actress Jada Pinkett-Smith‘s buzzed haircut. Rock claimed later that he was unaware that Smith has alopecia, a health condition that causes hair loss. In response to the joke, Smith’s husband, actor Will Smith, stormed the stage and slapped Rock.
The incident sparked mass commentary surrounding what disciplinary action ought to be taken against which party. The slap resulted in Smith being banned from the academy for 10 years. Many felt that this was too harsh a sentence, especially given the mounting number of alleged sexual abusers who face no consequences for their allegedly violent and criminal behavior.
The ensuing commentary surrounding the slap continues to linger. For this reason, Jones claimed that Rock was strongly affected mentally and emotionally. Jones told People that the slap “was humiliating” for Chris Rock and “really affected him. People need to understand his daughters, his parents, saw that. He had to go to counseling with his daughters.” Jones and Rock are longtime friends, and the actress mentioned him during the press tour for her upcoming memoir “Leslie F*cking Jones.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Penn is yet to respond to Jones’ claims about Rock, and Smith is yet to respond to Penn’s comments about the 2022 slap.
