Entertainment
Jazmine Sullivan wins second Grammy
Jazmine Sullivan has won her second Grammy, and she gets this one all to herself.
Sullivan won best R&B album at the Grammy Awards on Sunday for “Heaux Tales.”
“I think I wrote this album to deal with my own shame around some of the decisions I made in my 20s,” the 34-year-old Sullivan said as she accepted the award. “What it ended up being was a safe space for black women to tell their stories.”
Read More: John Legend honored at Grammys' Black Music Collective event
Earlier Sunday, Sullivan won her first Grammy, for best R&B performance, for “Pick Up Your Feelings.” The win was a tie with Silk Sonic.
Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared in a video message at the Grammy Awards to ask for support in telling the story of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia.
During the message that aired on the show Sunday, he likened the invasion to a deadly silence threatening to extinguish the dreams and lives of the Ukrainian people, including children.
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can’t hear them,” he said. “But the music will break through anyway.”
Read More: Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
John Legend honored at Grammys' Black Music Collective event
As John Legend was honored for his musical achievements Saturday — the night before the Grammy Awards — the singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that has shaped him and the wider world of music.
Legend explained how Black music has set trends for listeners across the globe, speaking at the academy’s Black Music Collective event in Las Vegas, where he was given the Global Impact Award for his personal and professional achievements in the music industry.
“I’m proud to celebrate and honor and cultivate our music,” Legend said at the event held the night before the Grammy Awards.
“Black music is and has been the rhythm, the root, the inspiration, the innovation behind so much of the world’s popular music. It doesn’t exist without us," he said.
Also read: Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
The multi-Grammy winner applauded the efforts of the Black Music Collective, a group created in 2020 of prominent music industry leaders — including honorary chairs from Legend and producers Jimmy Jam and Quincy Jones — who are looking to find ways to drive Black representation and inclusion. The academy has been focused on amplifying Black voices after years of backlash regarding racial inequality.
Like Legend, the event was filled with empowering messages that touched on the importance of recognizing Black music creators. It also featured a slew of popular performances including Chloe Bailey, Muni Long, Jimmie Allen, Cordae and Summer Walker.
Legend said Black music has the potential to fuel justice and inspire communities.
“Our art and music can help movements find their footing and voice,” he said. “Our art and music can help activists, the people closest to injustice and lead the way forward to equality and opportunity.”
Saweetie, who presented MC Lyte with an award, spoke about how Black women’s accomplishments have been downplayed but their impact on the culture has been undeniable. She has women have been in the forefront of hip-hop as rappers, producers and others behind the scenes.
“There’s no conversation about the past, present and future of hip-hop without women,” she said. “The playing ground has not been level, but I’m proud of the progress we made. Despite the continued injustice and inequality in our industry and society at large, there’s no better time to be a Black creator than now.”
The event highlighted the productive efforts by LVRN, a Black-founded record label that has built a strong roster including 6lack, D.R.A.M., Boogie and Summer Walker.
Also read: Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
MC Lyte was honored for being the “beacon of hope” for Black women, while D-Nice was recognized for his success through Club Quarantine. He says Legend helped ignite the flood of new followers in the early stages.
“Club Quarantine is not really about D-Nice, the deejay,” he said. “It’s about a community. People come together and they share conversations in the chats. I’m just in the background trying to create a space to feel comfortable to get together. I say this like I said before ‘Black music saved the world.”
Film Rajkumar: Everything about Shakib Khan’s Upcoming Movie with US Actress
The entertainment industry of Bangladesh has been buzzing since the announcement of Shakib Khan’s upcoming Film Rajkumar. The most exciting news about Rajkumar film is that an American actress stars opposite Shakib Khan. It is really a matter of excitement for the fans of the popular Bangladeshi film star Shakib Khan. This Dhaliwood superstar shared the good news with his fans on March 28, 2022, on his 43rd birthday. Before getting on the production stage, the mass media was flooded with pictures of Rajkumar stars. Let's get to know the most talked-about American actress as well as this upcoming movie.
Rajkumar and Storyteller Himel Ashraf
Himel Ashraf, a young director from Bangladesh, was the writer of the Rajkumar film. The scripting task was started during the quarantine period in America due to the Corona pandemic in 2020.
After meeting Shakib Khan in America in November 2021, Ashraf raised the issue of Rajkumar in the midst of various discussions. The Dhaliwood hero heard the whole story and got spellbound. As Shakib Khan liked the story, he gave an immediate response. And the star expressed his wish to make a movie with this story.
Read Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix: Cast, plot, probable release date
Ashraf, the surprised author, initially thought that maybe hero Shakib Khan’s interest in the film was a result of temporary excitement, and he would eventually forget the matter soon. But it didn’t happen.
Hero Shakib Khan is determined about making the film. From that day to till today, Shakib’s excitement about the story has never reduced. What’s more, as a producer Shakib is providing great cooperation to the writer Ashraf to make this movie better. Thus, Himel Ashraf's story ‘Rajkumar’ based on dialogues found its way to the silver screen. Apart from this, Director Ashraf has kept a lot of secrecy regarding the story of the film.
Read Greatest Movies based on 1971, the Liberation War of Bangladesh
Producers of the Film Rajkumar
The movie Rajkumar will be produced under the banner of Shakib Khan's film production company SK (Shakib Khan) Films. Zakaria Masood Ziko, editor, and publisher of Aajkal, a New York-based newspaper, has been associated with the film as a producer. Kazi Riton, an American expatriate, has also been involved as a co-producer of this movie. Shakib Khan is stepping into the international arena through this Cinema.
The shooting of Rajkumar will start in the second week of July 2022. 90 percent of the film will be shot in America. In addition to the photogenic locations of New York and Miami Beach, a number of American cities have been included in the shooting schedule. Bollywood and American artisans will work as film technicians from the beginning.
Read PM gives away National Film Awards to 32 winners
Finding Heroine for Rajkumar
The task of finding a new but talented actress was given to a professional casting agency in New York. First, they give a list of 87 participants. Initially, 40 out of them were called for an audition after seeing their profiles. 10 candidates were kept through the audition again.
The top three were selected out of those 10. After the evaluation of acting, look, and dance, the brown-eyed blonde Courtney Coffey was finalized.
Read Rozina gives Goalanda a modern mosque
US Actress as a Co-Artist of Shakib Khan
The main attraction of the movie is the actress who starred in the lead role. She is Courtney Coffey, a new American actress. Growing up on Long Island in New York, Coffey is a well-known face in the local theater. Her theatrical works include Midsummer Night's Dream and Jury Duty the Musical.
She is currently in her final year of studies at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater in New York City. Prior to that, she studied Film at Hofstra University in 2015.
Read Bongo to bring Kazakh movie 'Diamond Sword' as 'Hirar Talwar' on April 1
Coffey starred in the American short films titled ‘The Debate (2020)’, and ‘Revenging Angels Cull the Herd (2020)’, and ‘The Storm (2021)’.
Coffey prefers to introduce herself as a producer. She was a co-producer of a short film titled 'Summer in the City'. She has also worked as a co-producer in a number of advertising agencies. Moreover, she also wrote various analytical articles on films and women.
Read Telugu Film RRR: Lifetime Record Breaker and the Pride of Indian Cinema
Planning for Rajkumar Film Distribution
Apart from the movie theaters in Bangladesh, the release of Rajkumar is being planned in various countries around the world including America, London, the Middle East, Canada, and India. About one hundred and fifty American cinema halls have been targeted for the screening of this film.
Bottom Line
Shakib Khan's new cinema Rajkumar is raising expectations for a great movie experience. Undoubtedly Shakib Khan is a groundbreaking actor. Now, it is just time to watch how far this film can go to keep pace with world-class films.
Read Oscar Best Picture Winners: Looking Back at the Last 15 Years
Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
Will Smith resigned Friday from the motion picture academy following his Oscars night slap of Chris Rock and said he would accept any further punishment the organization imposed.
Smith in a statement released Friday afternoon said he will “fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable.”
Film academy president David Rubin said Smith’s resignation was accepted. “We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
Smith loses voting privileges with his resignation. But there are other, less tangible benefits to being part of the academy, Hollywood’s most prestigious organization: It bestows industry credibility on its members. It’s invitation only, and with a once-a-year membership review.
“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work,” Smith’s statement said. “I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.
Read: Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
“Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason,” Smith concluded in the statement.
The resignation came two days after the academy’s leadership board met to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. Those proceedings could have resulted in suspension or expulsion, and it was not immediately clear what additional punishment he could face.
Had he been expelled, Smith would have joined a small group of men removed from the academy: Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby and the actor Carmine Caridi, who was kicked out for sharing awards screeners.
On Sunday, Smith strode from his front-row Dolby Theatre seat on to the stage and smacked Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Moments later, he went on to win the best actor award for his role in “King Richard.”
Rock, who was about to present Oscar for best documentary, declined to file charges when asked by police. He has only briefly addressed the attack publicly, saying at one comedy concert in Boston this week that he was still “kind of processing what happened.”
Smith stunned Rock, the theater crowd and viewers at home when he took the stage after Rock joked: “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.”
Read: Chris Rock takes to comedy mic, still processing Oscars slap
Pinkett Smith, who has spoken publicly about her hair loss condition, alopecia, had a closely shaved head similar to that of Demi Moore in the original movie.
After Smith’s attack, he returned to his seat and angrily twice shouted at Rock to “get my wife’s name out your (expletive) mouth.” When Smith took the stage again less than hour later to accept his Oscar, he tearfully apologized to the academy but notably omitted any mention of Rock.
The fallout was immediate and intense. Smith had supporters for coming to his wife’s defense, but he was widely condemned for responding with violence and for marring both his long-sought Oscar victory and overshadowing the night’s other winners.
That included Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director of the winning documentary, “Summer of Soul,” and the film’s producers. They claimed their awards in the unsettled moments following Smith’s attack and outburst, when the room’s attention was shattered.
Before the disruption, the ceremony had represented a reset from the pandemic-constrained versions of the past two years. It was back in its home theater, boasted a trio of well-received female hosts — Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes — and had tallied several breakthrough winners.
Among them were “West Side Story” star Ariana DeBose, the first Afro-Latina and openly LGBTQ actor to win in the category of best supporting actress, and Troy Kotsur of “CODA,” the first deaf male actor to win the supporting actor prize. The night ended with “CODA” being crowned best picture, a landmark achievement for a streaming service and for a film with a largely deaf cast.
Rozina gives Goalanda a modern mosque
Popular Bangladeshi actress Rozina has got a modern mosque constructed in Rajbari district's Goalanda upazila, her birthplace.
The masjid is named ‘Ten Domes Ma Khadija Jame Mosque’ after her mother.
Former state minister for education and lawmaker of Rajbari-1 constituency, Kazi Keramat Ali, and Rozina jointly inaugurated the newly built mosque on Friday.
Also read: More than 50 years later, MSG to host another concert for Bangladesh
Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association president and Nirapad Sarak Chai chairman Ilias Kanchan, Goalanda upazila parishad chairman Mostafa Munshi, upazila nirbahi officer Md Azizul Haque Khan, Goalanda municipality mayor Nazrul Islam Mandal, Goalanda Awami League general secretary Biblab Ghose, among others, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Oscar Best Picture Winners: Looking Back at the Last 15 Years
The Oscar event began in 1929 to recognize progress in the art and science of motion pictures. This annual event is governed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Best picture, treated as the most prestigious award at the event, is given to the film producers. To get the full scenario of the Academy Awards fuels the interest of best picture Oscar winners in the last few years. Let's take a journey to the last 15 years to see the best picture winners in Oscar at a glance.
Best Picture Oscar Winners in the Last 15 Years
CODA (2021)
This film, which quickly reached 8.1 on the IMDb rating, is an English remake of the 2014 French-Belgian film La Famille Belier. Written and directed by Sean Header, the movie portrays a genius girl, the only hearing member in a deaf family. Emilia Jones was in the lead role and Troy Kotsur gained fame by playing the supporting role in the film.
Read Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
Nomadland (2020)
This is a Chloe Zhao production, an Asian director, originated from Jessica Bruder's 2017 nonfiction book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century. This American film is the story of a nomadic life of a widow in an RV. The film, starring Frances McDormand in the lead role, has an IMDB rating of 7.3.
Parasite (2019)
In this black comedy, South Korean director Bong Jun-Ho shows how a poor family slowly consumes a rich family. Han Jin-On contributed to the script of the film with Jun-Ho. Tension-building performances by Song Kang-Ho, Choi Woo-Shik, Park So-Dam, and Lee Jong-Eun have dramatically changed the movie's climate. The current IMDB rating of the movie is 8.5.
Read Chris Rock takes to comedy mic, still processing Oscars slap
Green Book (2018)
Directed by Peter Farrell, this American comedy-drama film follows a true story at the time of the 60s. The biography traces the eventful journey of Don Shirley, an African-American pianist, and his driver, Tony Leap. The screenplay of the film was written based on the interview of that pianist and his driver. The writers were Brian Hayes Curie, Farrell, and Nick Vallelonga. The tremendous dramatization of the film still keeps it at an IMDb rating of 8.2.
The Shape of Water (2017)
This is the only Oscar-winning fantasy movie of the 2010s directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Written by Del Toro himself and Vanessa Taylor, it brought a strange 60's story about an unorthodox love between a human-like amphibian creature and a mute woman. This romantic film starring Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon is carrying an IMDb rating of 8.3.
Read Oscar Winners 2022: Who Won the 94th Academy Awards?
Moonlight (2016)
The Coming of Age movie, directed and screenplay by Barry Jenkins, is about an African-American boy growing up as an adult overcoming social barriers. The main story of the film is taken from Tarrell Alvin McCrane's unpublished semi-autobiographical play 'In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue'. The film stars Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, and Naomi Harris. The movie currently has an IMDB rating of 7.4.
Spotlight (2015)
Spotlight is mainly a group of journalists under an old newspaper known for investigating incidents of child abuse by Catholic priests. Director Tom McCarthy has created the film on this sensitive theme. This film, scripted by McCarthy and Josh Singer, stars Mark Raffaello, Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, and Stanley Tucci. Currently, the IMDb rating of this crime drama is 8.1.
Read Oscars audience tops 15 million, exceeding last year
Birdman (2014)
The Birdman movie is the story of the downside of the life of a star who played the famous superhero character. The writers of this black comedy film are Nicolas Giacobone, Armando Bo, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and the director of the movie Alejandro G. Inarritu. The film stars Michael Keaton in the lead role. This film carrying an IMDb rating of 7.7 won an Oscar in four categories.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Steve McQueen directed this biography movie with the screenplay by John Ridley. The original plot follows David Wilson's 1853 memoir of the same name. This is a story of a free African-American man who was kidnapped and sold as a slave and lost the worthless 12 years of his life. This film, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Brad Pitt, has an IMDb rating of 8.1.
Read Jessica Chastain wins best actress Oscar for 'Tammy Faye'
Argo (2012)
Argo is a historical thriller film starring, directed, and co-produced by Batman star Ben Affleck. The movie was scripted by Chris Terrier based on a 1999 book of the same name by American espionage agent Tony Mendez. During the US-Iran unrest in 1979-1981, Mendez used an impeccable approach to rescue six US diplomats from Tehran. The IMDb rating of the film is 7.7.
The Artist (2011)
This French film, rated 7.9 on IMDb, is a combination of Black and White silent film and Talkies. The film follows a silent film star, who has been facing extreme challenges since the advent of talkie movies. Berenice Bezo and Jean Dujardin star in the comedy movie, written and directed by Michelle Hazanavicius.
Read 'Drive My Car' wins Oscar award for best international film
The King's Speech (2010)
This historical film with an 8 IMDb rating is based on the story of King George VI. This British movie depicts a newly empowered king who qualifies himself for a King's Speech with the help of a speech therapist. Directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler, the film stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter.
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Currently rated at 7.8 on IMDb, this American War film is directed by Katherine Bigelow and scripted by Mark Boyle. This thriller movie stars Jeremy Rainer, Ralph Fiennes, and Guy Pierce. The movie, set against the backdrop of the Iraq war, follows the newly-appointed Bomb Squad Sergeant, who has to deal with squad members for his exceptional work.
Read Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix: Cast, plot, probable release date
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The current IMDb rating of this blockbuster British film, based on the story of a slum boy becoming an overnight millionaire, is 8. Simon Beaufoy scripted this movie by loosely adapting Bikash Swarup's 2005 novel Q & A. The film, directed by Danny Boyle and shot in India, stars Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto, and Irfan Khan.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
This neo-western film originated from the 2005 novel of the same name by Carmack McCarthy. In the desert-like West, violence erupts around a hunter over a drug deal that goes wrong. Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this crime thriller stars Xavier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin. This movie has an IMDb rating of 8.2 so far.
Read Telugu Film RRR: Lifetime Record Breaker and the Pride of Indian Cinema
In a Nutshell
The best picture Oscar winners in the last 15 years reflect the ongoing change in the film industry. Now just one more era of films waiting to be invested. Movie lovers are ready to go beyond the boundaries of the theater and keep pace with movie streaming technology. The movie crew has already begun to sharpen their best performances.
Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix: Cast, plot, probable release date
The Korean drama, thriller, horror fiction series Squid Game was released on Netflix in September 2021. This drama series was at its peak of popularity within a few days of its release. While the Squid Game's making cost is around $21 million, Netflix earned more than $900 million. The first had 9 episodes. Now there is speculation about releasing the Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix. However, there is no official announcement yet. But different sources have been expecting that Netflix will announce the next season anytime soon. Here is what we know about Netflix Web Series Squid Game season 2.
Squid Game Netflix: Background
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of the squid game series, started working on this story in 2008. However, the idea of a squid game series came to his mind before 2008. At that time, he used to visit a manga café in Korea regularly. LIAR Game, Battle Royale and Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji Manga inspired Dong about the Squid Game. He prepared the preliminary draft by 2009. Dong approached different production houses in Korea with his draft. But no houses showed any interest as the plot was strange and unrealistic. So, what was the plot? Let's have a look.
Read Telugu Film RRR: Lifetime Record Breaker and the Pride of Indian Cinema
The series is a story of some defeated and troubled people who are frustrated in the battle of life. In this series, 456 debt-ridden contestants take part in a special game. The final winner will get 39 million US dollars. On the other hand, each eliminated person will get killed. This was the main plot, and the players had to take part in 6 different games in a 9-episode series.
Oscars producer says police offered to arrest Will Smith
Oscars producer Will Packer said Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards stage.
“They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment," Packer said in a clip released by ABC News Thursday night of an interview he gave to “Good Morning America.” “They said we will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him. They were laying out the options.”
But Packer said Rock was “very dismissive” of the idea.
“He was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m fine,” Packer said. "And even to the point where I said, ‘Rock, let them finish.’ The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, ‘Would you like us to take any action?’ And he said no.”
Also read: Will Smith would face little more than a slap if charged
The LAPD said in a statement after Sunday night's ceremony that they were aware of the incident, and that Rock had declined to file a police report. The department declined comment Thursday on Packer's interview, a longer version of which will air on Friday morning.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. Smith could be suspended, expelled or otherwise sanctioned.
The academy said in a statement that “Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television."
Without giving specifics, the academy said Smith was asked to leave the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, but refused to do so.
Smith strode from his front row seat on to the stage and slapped Rock after a joke Rock made about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, when he was on stage to present the Oscar for best documentary.
On Monday, Smith issued an apology to Rock, the academy and to viewers, saying “I was out of line and I was wrong.”
Also read: Chris Rock takes to comedy mic, still processing Oscars slap
The academy said Smith has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18.
Rock publicly addressed the incident for the first time, but only briefly, at the beginning of a standup show Wednesday night in Boston, where he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. He said “I’m still kind of processing what happened.”
Bongo to bring Kazakh movie 'Diamond Sword' as 'Hirar Talwar' on April 1
Video streaming platform Bongo will release the Kazakh movie "Diamond Sword" – dubbed in Bangla as "Hirar Talwar" – Friday.
The film is based on true Islamic history directed by acclaimed film director, screenwriter and artist Rustem Abdrashev.
Famous Kazakh stars Kairat Kemalov, Yerkebulan Daiyrov, Meirgat Amangeldin, Madina Esmanova, and Isbek Abilmazhinov played the noted roles.
The film shows the historical era of 13th century Mongol emperor Genghis Khan. When his descendants built their independent kingdoms, the surrounding states of Eurasia were crushed.
The bloody battle started to stop the legendary sultan Abu'l-Khayr Shaybani's tyranny.
This epic movie was first released in 2016 as "Kazakh Khanate: Diamond Sword."
BBC compared "Kazakh Khanate" to the American fantasy series "Game of Thrones."
The movie involved around 500 people in production including famous actors from Russia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.
Mushfiqur Rahman Manzu, chief content officer of Bongo, said: "We value historical movies that the viewers can relate to. Previously we published 'The Golden Throne' or 'Sonar Singhason' which is another great movie of this Kazakh series."
"Movies like 'The Golden Throne' and 'Diamond Sword' are for those who love to watch Islamic history."
Chris Rock takes to comedy mic, still processing Oscars slap
Chris Rock received several standing ovations before he told one joke Wednesday at his first comedy show since Will Smith slapped him in the face onstage at the Oscars.
Rock only briefly addressed the slap to the sold out crowd in Boston, saying he was “still kind of processing what happened."
“Other than the weird thing, life is pretty good,” Rock said midway through his first of two sets. The nighttime performances came just three days after Smith smacked the comedian for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, while presenting an Academy Award.
Rock didn't mention Smith or Pinkett Smith by name at his show in Boston. Wearing all white, he seemed to be almost embarrassed by the multiple ovations he received. As the applause carried on for minutes — with fans yelling “I love you, Chris!” — the comedian appeared to be getting emotional, a guest seated near the stage told The Associated Press.
“How was your weekend?” Rock joked before getting into his set.
Also read: Will Smith would face little more than a slap if charged
Ticket prices skyrocketed after Smith took to the awards stage and slapped Rock on live TV, but the comedian made clear he wasn’t going to talk at length about it Wednesday.
“If you came to hear that, I’m not ... I had like a whole show I wrote before this weekend,” Rock said.
He spent much of the night skewering celebrities and politicians. Among them were the Duchess of Sussex, the Kardashians, as well as President Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and former President Donald Trump.
Outside the venue, a fan showed off a T-shirt featuring the “G.I. Jane” logo and Pinkett Smith’s face. Another had a shirt he made that showed Smith's face and displayed a crude joke about the couple's relationship.
At least one person yelled during the show that Rock should sue Smith.
Rock's joke at the Oscars was about Jada Pinkett Smith's buzzed haircut: “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it,” Rock said, comparing Pinkett Smith to Demi Moore’s “G.I. Jane” character, who had a buzz cut in the 1997 film.
Smith promptly stood up from his seat at the front of the venue and took to the stage, slapping Rock across the face before sitting back down and yelling at Rock to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth.
Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about her diagnosis of alopecia, which can cause baldness.
Within an hour, Smith won best actor, receiving a standing ovation. During his five-minute acceptance speech, Smith talked about defending his family and apologized to the academy. A day later, Smith issued an apology to the comedian, to the academy and to viewers at home, saying he was “out of line” and that his actions are “not indicative of the man I want to be.”
Pinkett Smith responded Tuesday with a graphic on Instagram that read: “This is a season of healing and I’m here for it.” She offered no further comment.
Also read: Will Smith apologizes: 'I was out of line and I was wrong'
George Guay, a 24-year-old fan from Boston who grew up on “Everybody Hates Chris,” said he bought a ticket after Rock was slapped by Smith.
“He’s the most popular celebrity so I want to be here,” Guay said before the show, adding that he hoped Rock would open with a response to the situation. “I just want a good show.”
Afterward, some fans were a little disappointed he did not address the controversy more directly. But they also said they could see from his body language that he wasn't sure how to do it.
“As soon as I saw him, his mood was a little bit shocked,” said Dave Henriquez, a 48-year-old musician from Newton, Massachusetts. “I got that it was weighing on him.”
Erin Ryan, a 33-year-old teacher also from Newton who was with Henriquez, said she felt Rock wanted to perform his act, “not make the standup about the one incident.”
Kathryn West-Hines, a 50-year-old Pilates instructor from Malden, Massachusetts, said she came away with even more respect for Rock. “I thought it was amazing, classy,” she said, adding that he wasn't going to let “what happened Sunday” take away his shine.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences condemned Smith striking Rock. Its board of governors met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations of the group’s standards of conduct. The academy said it had asked Smith to leave the ceremony after hitting Rock, but he refused to do so.
This was not the first time Rock had made a joke at Pinkett Smith's expense. When he hosted the 2016 Oscars, some people boycotted the ceremony over the #OscarsSoWhite group of nominees, including the Smiths. Said Rock then: “Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited.”
Wanda Sykes, who co-hosted the Oscars with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, said she felt physically ill after Smith slapped Rock. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres scheduled to air April 7, Sykes also said letting Smith stay and accept his award should not have happened.
The drama overshadowed some historical wins at an Oscars. The deaf family drama “CODA” became the first film with a largely deaf cast to win best picture. For the first time, a streaming service, Apple TV+, took Hollywood’s top honor, signaling a profound shift in Hollywood and in moviegoing. Wins for Ariana DeBose of “West Side Story,”Troy Kotsur of “CODA” and Jane Campion, director of “The Power of the Dog,” all had made history.