Denzel Washington Consoled Will Smith After He Lashed Out At Chris Rock

Will Smith got a talking-to from Denzel Washington immediately after he hit Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

In case you missed, the comedian made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith, suggesting she looked like 'GI Jane'.

This didn't go down well with Smith, who caused a stir by walking up to Rock and seemingly landing a slap on his face before shouting: "Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth."

Just moments later Smith earned his first-ever Oscar, and while addressing the confrontation during his acceptance speech, he revealed the wise words said to him by Washington.

Through a stream of tears, Smith said: "Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, he said, 'At your highest moment, be careful. That's when the devil comes for you'."

As said by one viewer on Twitter, "Only Denzel Washington could turn a chaotic moment and career low for Will Smith into a beautiful moment. That man is the GOAT."

A second commented: "All the Oscar's did tonight was remind me how much I love Denzel Washington."

Smith's words followed footage that emerged showing Smith being comforted by Washington and Tyler Perry just after the incident.

Hollywood Reporter shared the clip online, writing: "Following the moment in which Will Smith seemingly slapped Chris Rock at the #Oscars, Smith is comforted by Tyler Perry and Denzel Washington.

"He appears to wipe away tears before rejoining his wife."

The incident unfolded amid the landmark moment in Smith's career, having bagged his first-ever Academy Award for his leading role in King Richard.

Elsewhere in his speech, Smith apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees, adding: "Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things."

Viewers at home weren't sure whether the confrontation was staged or not, but a slo-mo video shared on Twitter taken from a different angle at least confirms that the slap was real.

"It was very real," wrote one, while another said, "Slowed down, the smack absolutely made contact."

Words: Daisy Phillipson