Rob Schneider has not held back in his opinion of Will Smith, calling the “Bad Boys” actor an “a–hole” in the ongoing fallout from the 2022 Oscars slap involving comedian Chris Rock. During an appearance on “The Kyle & Jackie O Show” on Tuesday, Schneider criticized Smith for his behavior, suggesting that the slap exposed the true nature of the actor who had long been admired for his charm and charisma.
“Will Smith is a t—,” Schneider said bluntly. “Will Smith has been hiding the fact of who he really is, and it was exposed that night. He’s really an a–hole.” The comments referred to the shocking incident during the Oscars ceremony, where Smith struck Rock after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Schneider, a close friend of Rock and a fellow comedian, was part of the committee responsible for determining Smith’s punishment following the altercation. “I wasn’t allowed to say anything at that time because we were part of the committee that’s supposed to punish him,” he revealed. “He’s a liar. A complete, utter fraud. And it was exposed in that time.”
Reflecting on the broader implications of Smith’s actions, Schneider criticized the Academy’s handling of the situation, suggesting that political correctness played a role in their response. “The thing is, that’s how politically correct the Academy is,” he said. “They were so cowardly. Because if I would have done that, they would have hauled me off to prison. But because they were so worried about being seen as racist or whatever, they were like, ‘We can’t offend.'”
Schneider emphasized the seriousness of the incident, asserting that violence should not be excused regardless of a person’s status. “Violence is what it is,” he added. “Whether the color of your skin or your religion, it doesn’t matter. If you commit a crime in front of other people, you get hauled out of there.”
According to Schneider, the incident had a profound impact on Rock, who took time to process what had happened. “He didn’t want to talk to anybody,” Schneider said. “I don’t blame him. But it took him a while to get to where he could react to it because it was a lot. He’s a very sensitive, great guy, and he’s literally a genius.”
Smith, who faced significant backlash following the incident, has spoken about his attempts to refocus and learn from his experiences over the past few years. During a panel at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Smith reflected on the personal growth that adversity has prompted, emphasizing his desire to continue spreading joy and inspiration despite his challenges.
Representatives for Smith have not responded to requests for comment regarding Schneider’s remarks.
As the feud between Smith and Rock continues to simmer, Schneider’s candid comments add another layer to the ongoing discussion about the actions of one of Hollywood’s most prominent figures and their repercussions within the entertainment industry.
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