Will Smith’s presence on the 2025 Grammy Awards was met with hostility from viewers on social media, who felt he shouldn’t be there.
The star shocked the world in 2022 when he walked onto the stage at that yr’s Oscars, slapping host Chris Rock for making a joke about his spouse Jada Pinkett-Smith. After the slap, Smith returned to his seat and repeatedly yelled at Rock: “Preserve my spouse’s title out your fucking mouth!”
Within the aftermath, Smith resigned from the Academy on April 1, 2022, saying in a press release: “I betrayed the belief of the Academy. I disadvantaged different nominees and winners of their alternative to have fun and be celebrated for his or her extraordinary work. I’m heartbroken”. The Academy banned him from attending the ceremony for 10 years. He additionally posted an apology video.
Eventually night time’s (February 2) Grammys, Smith took to an awards present stage for the primary time since that incident, presenting a tribute to the late producer Quincy Jones. “You most likely wouldn’t know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones,” he defined through the speech.
Whereas the looks handed with out controversy, a number of individuals on X (previously Twitter) have questioned whether or not if was acceptable for him to be there. “Why the hell is Will Smith on TV display screen on the Grammys saying something???” wrote one. “He doesn’t should be within the highlight after his assault on Chris Rock”.
Why the hell is Will Smith on TV display screen on the Grammys saying something??? He would not should be within the highlight after his assault on Chris Rock.
— Joe Peluso Media (@JoePelusoMedia) February 3, 2025
One other wrote: “#WillSmith on #GRAMMYs stage? Violence is violence, a nationwide epidemic, to not be endorsed by #Grammys”. There have been some light-hearted feedback, with one imagining what host Trevor Noah could be pondering, whereas one other requested the ceremony “cease attempting to make Will Smith occur”.
#WillSmith on #GRAMMYs stage? Violence is violence, a nationwide epidemic, to not be endorsed by #Grammys pic.twitter.com/vg5kvf1uEZ
— Embrace Your Music (@mainesongwriter) February 3, 2025
Whenever you see Will Smith at an awards present pic.twitter.com/M1PyPSdCaP
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) February 3, 2025
Hey #Grammys cease attempting to make Will Smith occur pic.twitter.com/8wjj1Thkhg
— Jeff Dwoskin Has A Podcast (@bigmacher) February 3, 2025
He wasn’t the one member of the Smith household drawing reactions on-line, as Smith’s son Jaden acquired a combined response for his uncommon Grammys outfit. Will Smith has lately launched new music, referencing his connection to The Matrix in new track ‘Stunning Scars’.