Omar Epps' Reaction to Will Smith and Chris Rock.

The 2022 Academy Awards had one of the strangest moments in television history. Star actor Omar Epps, gives a deeply genuine and human opinion to the stunning Oscars moment between Chris Rock and Will Smith.
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[@colettehylan19]

This is the most eloquent opinion, and I've heard many, many, that I've heard thus far.

[@mercyfloyd6860]

I whole-heartedly agree with you Mr. Epps, you are a wise man.

[@wandamanning9198]

And that's why I love Omar. Very well said brother!

[@user-of8ps8ic4h]

Nah we not excusing will smith for disrespecting a black icon in front of the whole world to try and appease that narcissistic alley cat he calls a wife ! she don’t even love or respect him in the first place 🙄

[@npkrn6764]

Hi Omar! I loved you on ER ❤ I still cry when I see "that" last episode of yours. 😢 Good to see you.

[@freddiefitch6027]

What Will did was unacceptable because he laughed about what Chris said until Jada said something as a man or woman you think you can put your hands on some one because you don't like want they say,it isn't going to end well for you..

[@856Edwin]

Finally a balanced and reasonable response to what happened. Credit to you Omar and Cari! 😊 This is exactly what I have been saying. People make mistakes and Will Smith made a horrible one but like Cari said, these are 2 black heroes and one should not get killed off because of one mistake. Forgiveness all the way for me considering the amount of worse stuff that happens in private.

[@charlenelee6052]

Well said Omar!

[@DonMerri]

I appreciate Omar and Cari for this interview. Both are cerebral!

[@dspirit444]

"A mistake..." Omar you are dead wrong!! It is not for us to remember, it is for Will to remember who he is. That $hit was unacceptable and outrageous, no matter the color!!

[@sereneamani1713]

Unacceptable and outrageous. That describes much, if not most, of what happens in the world today.

[@omar-nz4fq]

you have a right to your opinion, and he does too

[@dorithabrown6781]

Absolutely it's time for healing.💜

[@jazzyangie9294]

I love Mr. Omar , he's grown into a beautiful Man, he opened this situation eloquently and explained for all to recieve... Thank you for sharing your journey with us.., I send love health wealth abundance and prosperity 💛🧔🏽

[@Buc690]

Man salute to you Omar and Cari. Love to Rock and Will.

[@aya9af]

Well said! Glad I'm seeing it.

[@cindysmithlucinda6369]

Mistake? That long walk up the aisle, the slap itself, the long swagger back to his seat, and even after that, yelling obscenities 2x???? No man, that was not just a mistake. Me misspelling a word on this post is a mistake. That was an assault. In fact the police were ready to arrest him there on the spot but Chris said no. And Really??? “Remember, this was the first black man to win an Oscar.” What in the bloody hell does that have to do with him choosing to commit assault on live television to a brother 60 pounds lighter than himself??? You both got this all wrong and I hope you see that after this past year. This has nothing to do with color man, except like Chris recently said, his mama taught him to never hit a brother in front of a white man. And this was in front of the fucking world. If you have ANY empathy man, put yourself in that position and try to imagine how that felt for Chris.

[@rml8174]

I like what you’re saying you on point but whoever said that is wrong. Sidney Poitier was the first black man to win an Oscar. Will was the first black rapper to win a Grammy. I didn’t see this entire clip so not sure who said that 😊 u preach girl!

[@falanabrown-sullivan3236]

I am so glad you are perfect.

[@emmamurphy9955]

Omg i have watched everything omar has been in love him

[@champion20199]

I felt very disappointed, because he let his pride gain that moment.

[@emmamurphy9955]

People are upset because he has never apologized to chris not even in private

[@markmason3760]

Cari champion is gorgeous

[@eloiseboone4115]

Correct, correct!!

[@chenieves8976]

I LUV THE DARK COLORS BABE. GREAT SHOW. UUUUURRRAAA. ❤🎉❤1

[@sparrowprince3432]

That was the wackest background song ever at the end. It actually angered me.

[@alfredocampos4502]

Omar talks in circles

[@ronalddavis9062]

Facts

[@mjsolom]

Omar I never liked you dude “BUT” you’re real with this response to the question. Not getting into the U.S. and them but pointing out human errors people do and always will make mistakes. Chris is iconic to me Will initially I didn’t even watch him as an actor on The Fresh Prince of Belair because he was a rapper and a very good one. I happen to scroll through the channels one day and caught a glimpse and was like this kid is real I was so happy when he ventured to the big screen and have watched everything he has done he’s great. Does what happened with Chris diminish him I don’t think so it didn’t to me anyways. Does it distort his legacy it shouldn’t. Will people look at him differently sure I know I do but not in a way of hating on him but realizing that people always place celebs on a pedestal and some want them to be great always and never err others just want to tear them down or see them fail. Great response brother Omar once those to figure out what they want to do then let’s or we all should support them. mic drop 🎤

[@alwill6536]

What Omar said.

[@BeautieNDeath19]

While I understand everyone makes mistakes, I feel the "he insulted my wife so I had to defend her" excuse is wrong. If he had gone up and demanded an apology from Chris for the insult I would have celebrated that. That would be standing up for her with class. Will Smith chose violence. I was bullied as a child and taught violence isn't the appropriate response and will gain you nothing. I as a Child had to control my emotions and pain not to use violence. Do as I say not as I do I guess. And as far the argument about there are people who did worse things who got away them and they are doing fine sounds like a cop out to me. People all over the world get away with horrible things. We as a society can't say we'll this person got away with blank so this other person who did something "less bad" should get away with it. Also, if Will had apologized to Chris in his speech like he did to everyone else, I think the response would have been very different. Some people of power including celebrity's think the rules don't apply to them. If a non celebrity had assaulted Chris they would have been at least escorted out of the building. If we were allowed to assault someone everytime someone says something we don't like NO ONE would be safe. If I were Chris I probably wouldn't have pressed charges either. Who wants to be known as the guy who put beloved Will Smith in jail?

[@garyrawls6912]

An octave is 8 notes and all of the sounds including sharps and flats are 13 the 9th point is the actual birth

[@garyrawls6912]

The universe was created through harmonics

[@stephanieharries7746]

You know anyway to see Chris Rock's face of thinking that he's going to just say something or you know it's going to be innocuous or you just make a comment and for him to be hitting Chris Rock is to me just heartbreaking and you know I mean Chris Rock to be hit by Will Smith and so I just like to say that that to me is the most heartbreaking moment there and it makes me feel like Will Smith was just it was completely uncalled for.

[@marytaylor905]

I agree 💯 it time to put to rest ❤ to both mam

[@pvu8434]

"Two Heros of our Community"??? Who??? Not our Heroes!!!! Will Smith is not even his own Family's Hero. Look how his own Wife treats him. His daughter writes a letter to "2PAC" TO COME MAKE HER MOTHER HAPPY. NO HERO,, JUST AN "ENTERTAINER".

[@sharonrobinso2988]

Exactly Omar I love Will Smith and respect him. Always throwing our Black men under the bus. Cosby, Michael Jackson, etc....

[@dianajohnson6326]

Dido❤😊🎉

[@Guitarist888]

Will is a 🌽 ball!

[@westcliffproductions]

They are not Heros lol

[@coachm.forrest8958]

Omar is on point 👉 👈... what je doesn't know is that Will has a history of this type of behavior.

[@terrymitchell316]

That’s a lame answer

[@pamelafrenchie687]

will ain't no damn hero to me always have been a softy and Chris don't have to have shyt to do with will,, you put yo hands on me you can't say shyt to me ever not never,, my opinion

[@derrickvernon4688]

My Opinion is that maybe Chris Rock should have spoken with Will Smith in the back stage before the Oscars and give him the heads up about the Joke then it would have boiled down to a No or Yes?

[@angelajennings4214]

No you. Didn't ..will slapped Chris in front of the world ..so..Chris did his ..it's over

[@ritahill9116]

Very well said, Omar!! Couldn't agree more.

[@vonzell-lk5fh]

I call BS Omar.

[@innovincphils670]

that was assault! you cowards cant say it as it is

[@hazelx2711]

This is the most intelligent answer about The Slap I have heard. No profanity or name Calling. Noting the fact That we are all human And make mistakes. Although this totally Uncalled for Will's part. This slap backfired on him in the worst way. Now that Chris has Addressed this, and got All his frustrations out . Hopefully everyone else Can talk about more Funnier things. Especially other comedians who, to me, Have showed a darker Side of their personality A

[@godislove9273]

Best yet kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIXYfGWhqJhpmKs

[@mschaos2315]

U all do not make sense.

[@mschaos2315]

It's a bad look, regardless. He did assault Chris in public .

[@judymyers9867]

Black people are human beings they do make mistakes however two wrongs don’t make a right just cause white people are doing shit and not being punished doesn’t mean black people should get away with it too if you ask for equality they you have too have both ways Johnny Depp didn’t do anything and yet he was black balled his career was ruined why does Will get away with it I can because I bitch I complain I speak out anytime their is injustice no matter the race no matter the religion no matter the sex no matter the orientation no matter the political view’s because that’s what real equality is not we want you have and more

[@ycamara9034]

Stope bligging yo skin , and talk straight. , , Will is a traitor , , I will never watch his his movies , I just cannot watch watch Mr. And Mrs never in my life again. Epps am disappointed in you.😡👎

[@robertfrank9936]

Chris should never sit down and talk to Will Smith. Will needs to talk to his bitch ass wife. She caused all of this .

[@barbaralucas7890]

This incident is not about Black Americans. It’s about the Smith family. Yeah you can say that everyone makes mistakes, but this is a lasting mistake and a scar to C Rock.

[@danielledumont6536]

Black, white or red. Unforgivable...

[@kingcecil7126]

A slap is unforgivable? Really? Not much of a Christian are you? Well maybe you are not!

[@Awillii]

I hope you don’t make any mistakes and want grace or forgiveness

[@lilliecollins5905]

First God forgave us we should do likewise. Chris Rock is not the only person to get baby slapped but at a place like that made he was. It's been a year and u all still talking about that shit. He Chris have no respect talking about jaba sucking Di..k? That man wife did nothing to him. God don't like ugly.

[@sandrakelley87]

Omar, shut up

[@sandrakelley87]

Please. Stop the madness. Will is dirt. So over anything he ever did.

[@ConfidencePT]

Will and Jada want it let go when they are on the receiving end only. She is a narcissist and he is a B.... Chris nailed it! He has the right of reply and no one has the right to put a deadline on his right of reply. Will Smith was a bully on TV and he could have quite easily have controlled his reaction and the slap was premeditated, He had all the time walking up on stage to think about how he was going to respond to Chris's joke. Let's not pretend that this has anything to do with race. This was a bully picking on a smaller man. I'm a fan of Chris, always have been. I used to like Will, not anymore.

[@kingcecil7126]

Most of what you say is true, however Rock manipulated the truth to provide himself an excuse to use the woman as the butt of his rather pathetic joke. She never called Rock out give up his Oscar gig because her husband was not nominated. She like many other black entertainers boycotted the event because of it's lack of diversity, if Rock considers that starting something that he needed to end by calling her a bitch then he has some serious issues. Sure Smith should not have slapped him, but as Rock would say," But I Understand!".

[@sharonrobinso2988]

How do you know? Touched a nerve.... great points made how Caucasians get away with murder never brought to justice or a scandal brewing like Harvey Weinstein who you heard very little about let's focus on Bill Cosby to divert attention.

[@evelynolivera5047]

What will did was wrong period! I do not care what problems he has or have, thats for him to fix in his private live, you do not use that as an excuse to physically assault somebody. We expect a child to never behave this way and if they do we tell them right away and no one can tell this grown person that HE DID WRONG PERIOD! Then, we hope he can fix his issues but that IS NOT EXCUSE! If we will start excusing every wrong doer for their tragic childhood (that i wish didn’t happen) then lets not have prisons, let everyone free. People need to be hold accountable for their acts period, that does not mean i dont like or respect will, i do, doesn’t mean i am blinded.

[@bernardturner2877]

Facts bust answers Ever 💯

[@tabithamartin531]

Omar said some real shit

[@stephaniearcher5199]

Chris was Wrong for disrespecting Wills wife.Sorry that it happened but Chris R finally got it for disrespecting Jada over and over again thoughtout the years.. .

[@KeoniProductions]

yup calling her a Marine hero is sooooo disrespectful grow up.

[@ellamorris4129]

Jada disrespected herself for that Entanglement! GI Jane was NOT the reason! Will and Jade are two confused people who've done one another so bad, they have no more corners to turn! Tell the truth! He could've broken Chris's jaw, nose, injured him in other ways! No damn excuses Will!!! You knew who to slap!!!

[@ellamorris4129]

Better than calling her a -----! Fill in the blanks!

[@evelynolivera5047]

Whats wrong with people this days! Is like comedy never existed and no body knows the whole point of their show is to make jokes! They hired a comedian to make jokes about the audience! They get pay for it! And the audience know! God!

[@Freethinker_746]

Facts!! He's been doing it since the late 90's. He can't handle rejection! Jada didn't want him and he's carrying a immature grudge!

[@RR-nl2ep]

Black and brown people? Blacks always include brown people but it is never the other way around. Why is that? 🤔

[@ttopbugatti9430]

I have thee entire recording of the Oscar’s.. it’s capsulated on my dvr for life.. and no it’s not funny to me🫣🥺🥺🥺

[@marjorieharris4716]

He's saying mistakes. He can say that because he's never been slapped in front of millions.

[@godislove9273]

He​ should have stayed on script with his insensitive lame a@@.

[@gregoryvallien4413]

That was Brilliantly said Selah!

[@shopobjetdart]

Disappointing. An enlightened human being would have replied, "Will was wrong for assaulting Chris Rock, and because it took place in front of a live audience of their peers and millions of their followers, the impact was far more devastating..." Classifying Will's willful and deliberate assault as a mistake is an unrealistic stretch... That said. Will's bankability was based on his "nice-guy" image. So, it is unfair to assess this as a Black man being treated differently than White men. Case in point, Mike Tyson's bankability was based on his intimidation factor... and he would have been held to a different standard... Think about it... He bit another Black man's ear... twice... and he's still doing well...

[@0800HOE]

I get what he is saying. But there is no justification for what he did. It set the accomplishments of what black people have done for the past 60 years.

[@0800HOE]

I also disagree on the comparisons of white pedos and pervs. There is no comparison. Stop trying to do what white men do. There are different rules. Get it right!!!!!

[@ellamorris4129]

NO JUSTIFICATION FOR WHAT HE DID!! FOLK KILL ME SUGAR COATING S---!!!!!

[@lovil6375]

Its all an act

[@lonyaeloper613]

God Bless Omar and Cari. Thank you for that view point!❤🙏

[@jasonjones2137]

They are not are heroes. Actors can't be are heroes. The only heroes black ppl have is The Minster

[@hidebehindyourscreen]

It was staged folks. Google the slap. There’s not ONE showing contact. Prove me wrong

[@Ilovechicago100]

I agree …Mfs was doing the most over a slap in the media. Talked about it for a whole week more than the foolishness going in politics right now that happened last year on jan 6. It’s crazy

[@steretsjaaj2368]

They do this to mask real issues, which are prez joe's antiques in this case

[@judymyers9867]

First off this is America the constitution regardless what republicans want everyone is allowed a opinion and to express two according to her I should be allowed especially because I did rant and rave about Jan 6 I post tweeted yelled screamed I call for what was by definition was just a insurrection it was a domestic terrorist at by dictionary definition look it up and still I say it I still call for what when George Floyd was murdered I called it was was ms Taylor and every other person not just black but ever person death was was and screamed and yelled but you all don’t seem to I stand when I say you all I mean people when similar comments black white brown Asian gay straight bi trans religious or not republicans democrats independent or what it’s the same you can’t have equality without true equality when mean you can be treated the same as everyone until you want to be treated special not they way equality is

[@judymyers9867]

One more thing to be clear Depp was treated unfair he was persecuted condemned drawn and quartered and ruined in a month the world destroyed what that man built in a life time because his bitch of a wife lied now was all a lie who knows only they do what I do know she didn’t act on those video like a women abused and sure didn’t act like it in court unless she thought the jury might see it but see her is the big difference why depp was treated unfair was cause their was no prof he did anything he never lied about being a drunk doing drugs always been honest about everything in his life Will Smith how did commit a crime on international tv he assaulted another human being no doubt caught on camera if cheat on his wife or stole money drank too much done drugs those are forgivable harming someone else no saying what will did was ok like say well Cosby only raped those girls no harm no foul not like he killed any of them didn’t hurt a kid he just committed many times many assaults Mel Gibson persecuted all he did drunk call his wife verbally assaulted her but he blackballed RDJ was a addict only hurt himself also blackballed Kevin S blackballed yet he won his cases Smith assaulted another human being caught on tape some smaller weaker then him man or women he is a abuser now Chris say I ain’t a victim ok but he is by law once again I believe in true equality when someone in the right I regard I help and defend them to the end some is in the wrong I don’t stop if in 20 or 30 years I will still commit bring it to light

[@godislove9273]

Right

[@logosg]

Roman is the first one that came to mind!

[@goodmusic8563]

1.6?????? Is that a JOKe!

[@HowWillSmithBrokeTheInternetTM]

#oneslap ...WoW!!! I have to commend you with the commentary and reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock! I must say that there is a lot to unpack with this situation. I really do appreciate the level of respect you two are exhibiting with this situation, but it is something that has to be analyzed deeply because this wasn't a regular Oscars night, it was a night that marked a place in history for our people as professionals, and Will Smith just threw that right out the window. So, yeah, this was not a night for mistakes, especially at this level and magnitude. I think Will to be a GREAT MAN OF ESTEEM, but he blew it BIG TIME for not only himself, but for all of you and the rest of us whom love, adore, and respect him. I know you all are doing clean up, and helping him to save face, but it is too late for that because of when, where, why, and how it happened. This was just MESSY on all levels! Real Talk!💯

[@daddyghost8804]

Will was wrong because I do agree they may know each other but listen if you slap a man and don't do that when she tells the world a affair with someone half her age. Why should we support that and I did protest Jan 6th but let's be honest they ain't going to charge Jan 6 because justice to us doesn't happen to them their not going to get time.

[@redrockballa]

very well said from a black man💯💯💯💯

[@KingCapricorn115]

Subscribed off the UD interview alone. Keep winning Ms. Champion! We love you

[@kaneingram6490]

I love omar as a actor but why do yall ALWAYS throw in the black card?? Its annoying!

[@dominicrigsby8547]

Because these are conversations our community needs to have. You don't like it don't listen or participate. This isn't about you buddy.

[@chelechiffon9222]

Was slavery annoying?

[@ArrmiaBenton]

Why are you in our spaces if you don't like what we're talking about? There is no "Black card." These are our lived experiences in America. If you don't want to hear about it, then exit stage left. You're annoying!

[@kaneingram6490]

@@chelechiffon9222 first off the Irish was slaves before any other race LEARN YOUR HISTORY

[@kaneingram6490]

@@ArrmiaBenton 🤣🤣 look we all know black people cry about every fucking thing, but damn let it go yall have it better then anyone these days

[@glx3846]

Jada Pinkett Smith starred along side Omar Epps in Scream 2. He is awesome

[@amanithurman8950]

He died it get killed it gets stabbed to death too soon in the beginning of the film

[@celestemoore3959]

Love you my brother. . . very mature Outlook. CELESTE, in the ATL 🌻

[@dl9484]

What about jada tho? She toxic.

[@coachtali5151]

Why is she your business

[@angelajennings4214]

@@coachtali5151 Chris took a beat in front of the world.he handled that good.how would you feel? Anyway ,it's over

[@dl9484]

Was up Ms. Champion!