Last Night's Oscars Is Being Called 'A Masterclass In Toxic Masculinity'

Viewers who watched the Oscars last night are calling out the events of this year's ceremony as a "masterclass in toxic masculinity" after watching the live altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock unfold.

There's a lot to unpack this morning, after witnessing King Richard star Will Smith hit Chris Rock live on-stage when the Oscars host made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

Watch the shocking moment here:

Will Smith took to the stage after Chris Rock made reference to his wife Jada's shaved hair, joking: "Jada, can't wait for GI Jane 2."

Although he appeared amused by the joke at first, Will appeared beside Chris just seconds later, hitting him before returning to his seat.

From the audience he shouted up at the comedian: "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth."

In the past, Jada has been open about her struggles with the autoimmune disease alopecia including hair loss.

Later on in the ceremony, Will apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees for his actions, though e notably left Chris Rock out of his apology.

ABC

Discussing the shocking moment, many viewers have pointed out that both Chris Rock's joke and Will Smith's attack were textbook examples of 'toxic masculinity.'

Reacting to the exchange, one disappointed viewer commented: "From the joke to the slap, that was an epic, uncomfortable to watch MasterClass in toxic masculinity and fragile ego."

On Twitter, author, activist, and reverend Jacqui Lewis wrote: "Toxic masculinity culture is an awards show just rolling through physical assault, Will sitting in his chair."

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She later added: "Don't get me wrong. That joke was disgusting and uncalled for. It's toxic masculinity culture, too. But a country that repeatedly treats violence as negotiable will continue to devolve further into it. We're sick and need to get well."

Another Twitter user who tuned in to the Academy Awards last night wrote: "Seeing a lot of hot takes on what happened between Chris Rock and Will Smith at #Oscars and I GET IT. It is the most intense thing to ever happen on that stage. But the whole incident, from top to bottom, was toxic masculinity. Neither of those dudes are the good guy here."

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A third viewer simply tweeted: "The 57th Oscars brought to you by Toxic Masculinity."

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Later on in the ceremony, Will apologised for his actions during his acceptance for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Referencing his earlier actions on stage, Smith tearfully said: "I want to apologise to the academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees."

Smith beat out competition from Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Javier Bardem in Being the Ricardos, Benedict Cumberbatch in The Power of the Dog and Andrew Garfield in Tick, Tick...Boom! to win his very first Oscar.

Topics: Celebrity, Will Smith