Jada Pinkett Smith has finally spoken out about the events that occurred at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Back in March, viewers were left stunned after actor Will Smith took to the stage to confront comedian Chris Rock.
Rock, 57, was preparing to present an award when he decided to joke and riff with several of the famous faces in the crowd. During which, he made a passing comment about 50-year-old Pinkett Smith.
"Jada! I love you! G.I. Jane II - can't wait to see it," Rock joked, in an apparent reference to Pinkett Smith's closely shaved head.
Just in case you had forgotten:However, considering Pinkett Smith has been open about her alopecia diagnosis in recent years, her husband clearly felt like Rock had crossed a line. The 53-year-old Men In Black star then approached Rock on the stage, before slapping him across the face.
After returning to his seat, Smith started yelling: "Keep my wife's name out your f***ing mouth."
It was an explosive moment that certainly had the world talking... except for Pinkett Smith, who up until this week, had not addressed the altercation.
On the latest episode of Red Table Talk that aired on Wednesday, 50-year-old Pinkett Smith said:
"Now, about Oscar night, my deepest hope is that these two intelligent, capable men have an opportunity to heal, talk this out, and reconcile.
"The state of the world today, we need them both, and we all actually need one another more than ever."Until then, Will and I are continuing to do what we have done for the last 28 years, and that’s keep figuring out this thing called life together."
Additionally, along with her 21-year-old daughter Willow, Pinkett Smith used the episode to address alopecia and the impacts it can have on individuals.
The Smiths spoke with Niki Ball, the mother of a 12-year-old daughter who also suffered from alopecia.
Ball's daughter Rio was severely bullied over her hair loss and tragically died by suicide in March.
The mother spoke about how her daughter would have her wig ripped off by students at her school, as well as having to endure physical and verbal bullying.
On March 14, 2022, Rio took her own life as a result of all the torment. Grieving parent Ball said it "was the worst day of my life."
"She was so smart. She was just brilliant," Ball said. "And she was funny. She was a great big sister. She loved reading and writing and sketching. She loved being in the band."
After speaking to Ball and hearing about Rio's story, Pinkett Smith emphasized why there needs to be "an understanding around the devastation of this condition".
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
