A wild night

Sarah Taryam, Arts Editor

Is there anyone who is not talking about Will Smith right now? The 94th Academy Awards were held in Hollywood on Sunday with the world watching. This week we take a look at how Smith’s despicable antics overshadowed what was actually a night of big wins for women in film.

Will Smith took offence at Chris Rock’s joke aimed at his wife Jada’s bald head. Rock made a G.I. Jane reference, which Smith laughed at, before getting up and slapping the comedian on the face on live TV for the whole world to see. Award shows are known for their cutthroat jokes. I do not think Rock knew about Jada’s alopecia, and I do not think Smith should have done what he did.

He then went on to win Best Actor in a Leading Role for the movie “King Richard” to which he gave a crying acceptance speech where he apologised to the academy and his colleagues claiming that “love makes you do crazy things.” Rage makes you do crazy things, and Smith showed his rage and his true colours. I truly hope they take the Oscar away from him. His arrogance knows no bounds.

In more important news, it was a great night for Hollywood’s leading ladies. Jane Campion became the third woman ever to win a directing Oscar for her film “The Power of the Dog” and the first woman to do so the year after another woman won. After two previous nominations Jessica Chastain finally won Best Actress for her role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.”

Ariana DeBose won the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “West Side Story,” a testimony to the diversity of winners. Let us keep talking about these deserving women and leave Smith out of the conversation.