Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on the Oscar awards Sunday night time sparked debate amongst some viewers about whether or not or not the slap was staged.

Smith slapped Rock after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair and went to inform him to maintain his spouse's title out of his mouth. Movies of the confrontation have been seen tens of millions of time on Twitter, the place dialog concerning the slap continued to dominate into Monday morning, dividing followers.

A few of the dialog centered on if the slap was genuine, with some claiming the video was "staged"—regardless that there was no substantial proof to again up the declare.

One Twitter consumer, @ProjectMememar, wrote that he believes they noticed Rock "grimacing" within the moments main as much as the slap. When requested by different consumer why the confrontation can be staged, the consumer mentioned to "enhance buzz for an occasion that has sunk to report lows in scores."

Adweek editor David Griner wrote: "A sluggish stroll up, an open hand slap, no stagger, sluggish stroll again with no scuffle and no safety personnel stepping in? Feels completely staged for publicity."

Twitter consumer Josh Rush wrote: "Everybody falling for the Will Smith/Chris Rock publicity stunt prefer it wasn't staged as a result of the Oscars scores have fallen 5 years in a row..."

"Chris Rock lowkey braced himself for impression! I am 100% on the aspect of it was staged! Rattling enjoyable night time on Twitter although," wrote Twitter consumer Marquis Flowers.

Journalist Seth Abramson, wrote that even when it was not staged, he hoped it might be.

"This feels to me like one other signal that the world is off its hinges, so I positive hope we're going to discover out that—regardless of there being no proof of it—this was staged," he wrote.

Many different folks additionally identified the shortage of proof that the video is staged and put forth different arguments that the slap authentically occurred.

Journalist Alexander Panetta dismissed the claims the slap was staged, writing: "My favorite a part of the Oscars incident is seeing people I observe who assume COVID was a giant conspiracy and who additionally assume assist for Ukraine is a giant conspiracy now additionally assume the slap was a conspiracy, staged for publicity. Welcome to the kooky singularity."

One other Twitter consumer, @thatsillyhelen, identified that tv networks had been pressured to shortly censor Smith's use of obscenities after the slap.

"Additionally you assume they STAGED chris rock making a joke about JPS's traumatic medical situation so will smith might faux to be mad and disrupt the oscars????" she added.

The incident shortly grew to become the primary focus of the occasion, dominating headlines and dividing followers. Many shortly condemned Smith for slapping Rock. However some criticized Rock for making a joke about Pinkett Smith's hair, on condition that she has the situation alopecia.

The slap additionally drew a sturdy response from celebrities, lots of whom had been in attendance of the award present.

Newsweek reached out to the Oscars for remark Monday morning for remark. This story can be up to date with any response.

Will Smith, Chris Rock slap staged debate
Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on the Oscar awards Sunday night time sparked debate amongst some viewers about whether or not or not the slap was staged. Above, Smith and Rock are seen simply after the incident.ROBYN BECK/AFP through Getty Pictures