Michael Bay was busy doing other things when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock across the face at the Oscars, but he soon heard all about it like everyone else. Not long after the incident played out for live television audiences across the globe, Bay’s phone started blowing up, with many looking to get his take on Smith’s actions. Of course, the pair have a history after working together on Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2, which places Bay in a prime position to add his voice to the chorus of opinions.
“First of all, it’s wrong, to begin with,” Bay told Deadline about Smith slapping the taste out of Rock’s mouth on a grand stage. “But that’s all people are talking about. And I don’t really care. Hollywood gets really self-absorbed. There are babies getting blown up in Ukraine right now. We should be talking about that.”
Additionally, Bay defended Smith by saying his actions were wildly out of character, adding that he’s never seen that sort of violence from him before.
“I’ve worked with him. He is not that guy,” Bay said. “I’ve never seen him lose his cool like that. I thought it was set up ’cause I saw the smirk, and I’ve been on set when Will screws with people when he’s joking with people.”
Bay also admits that he thought the slap was part of a joke that Smith and Rock were in on from the start. Of course, that was not the case, and now Smith is experiencing severe blowback for his actions.
Do you think Bay has a point about refocusing our attention and energy on the events happening in Ukraine? Do the punishments against Smith fit the crime? Please feel free to sound off in the comments section below and let us know.
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