Will Smith’s infamous Oscar slap happened nearly four months ago, and the incident is still the topic of discussion. However, in a podcast interview, DJ Jazzy Jeff said that his longtime friend would have slapped anyone, including legendary boxer Mike Tyson.
The Philadelphia native, born Jeffrey Allen Townes, appeared on the Faq Podcast alongside hosts Fuzzy and Quincy, saying that Smith would have surprisingly slapped the heavyweight champion at the awards show.
“When it happened, and I saw him walk up there, the one thing I would say – ’cause I’ve had people say, ‘Oh, he wouldn’t have done that to no gangsta,’” Jeff explained.
He continued, “Let me tell you something about Will. Will is somebody that cliff dove in Jamaica and couldn’t swim. Will was the person that, whatever he’s afraid of, he runs to. I ain’t got that in me. I don’t have that in me at all. I’ve watched Will almost die numerous times running straight.”
Jeff also added, “Will would’ve slapped Mike Tyson. It did not matter who was there. Will would’ve got his ass beat, but he was going to do what he was going to do regardless of who it was. It wasn’t for fake. It wasn’t for show. I have to protect. If that was a grizzly bear, he would have did it. I know him.”
The 94th Annual Academy Awards was held on Sunday, March 27, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. During the show, host Chris Rock made a G.I. Jane joke referencing the Independence Day actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head, Sis2Sis reported.
“I love, ya. G.I. Jane 2 can’t wait to see it. Aight?” Rock said, pointing to Pinkett-Smith. The 53-year-old appeared to have been laughing at Rock’s joke until he looked over and saw his wife’s reaction as the audience laughed with him.
After the incident, Will walked back to his seat and shouted at the Brooklyn native, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth!”
Moments later, Smith won his first Oscar for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the film King Richard.
Since then, Smith has addressed the issue on Instagram and apologized to Rock and the Academy committee. In addition, he later resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science and received a 10-year ban from the award show.
Watch the full podcast interview below.
