Will Smith sparks fury as he breaks cover at the Grammys after Chris Rock slap

Will Smith, who was banned from the Oscars aft slapping Chris Rock successful 2022, appeared connected signifier astatine the Grammys to wage tribute to Quincy Jones

Viewers tuning into the Grammy Awards connected Sunday nighttime were furious erstwhile Will Smith walked up connected signifier to wage tribute to Quincy Jones.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air histrion paid tribute to the euphony mogul, who passed distant successful November astatine the property of 91. Will introduced the tribute, calling Jones "one of the astir influential and groundbreaking figures of our times." The precocious shaper was honoured with a medley of immoderate of the hundreds of songs helium worked connected passim his prolific career.

Will had his acting debut connected Fresh Prince - which saw Jones arsenic the enforcement shaper and the composer. During his speech, Will noted however Jones "changed his beingness forever". He said: "You astir apt wouldn’t adjacent cognize who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones. He made truthful galore greats crossed aggregate genres dependable adjacent better."

His quality astatine the Grammy Awards comes astir 3 years aft helium was banned from the Oscars. The past clip helium joined an awards amusement signifier helium slapped comedian Chris Rock. After Chris made a gag astir Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, helium took to the signifier and slapped the prima crossed the face.

He was soon banned from the Oscar Awards for a decade, with the Academy confirming successful a statement: "During our telecast, we did not adequately code the concern successful the room." Fans were furious that the Pursuit of Happyness prima took portion successful the show, with galore rushing to societal media to slam him.

Writing connected X/Twitter, 1 idiosyncratic said: "Why the heck is Will Smith connected the Grammys? Are you retired of your mind? Get him the heck off!" and different furious instrumentality added: "Why the F**K is Will Smith connected my TV surface astatine the Grammys announcing anything??? He doesn't merit to beryllium successful the spotlight aft his battle connected Chris Rock."

"Can idiosyncratic explicate wherefore did we person to perceive to Will Smith’s yapping for 10 minutes consecutive astatine the Grammys? Is helium adjacent nominated?" 1 confused instrumentality commented portion 1 posted: "How is Will Smith inactive allowed astatine grant shows, fto unsocial allowed to present?"

Some fans noted however Will antecedently boycotted the Grammys. In 1989, Will and philharmonic spouse DJ Jazzy Jeff boycotted the amusement aft uncovering retired the presumption of the grant for the caller class of champion rap show wouldn't beryllium televised. The duo were nominated and won the Grammy for Parents Just Don't Understand.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight astatine the time, helium said: "We don’t person the occupation with the Grammy arsenic an grant oregon the Grammys arsenic an institution, we conscionable had a occupation with the 1989 plan of the awards show. We chose to boycott. We consciousness that it’s a slap successful the face.”

After winning an award, Will said to the LA Times helium was "more than blessed to judge it" but added: "I’m not arsenic blessed arsenic I could person been. … [The presumption not being televised] detracts from the excitement of the award.” On his determination to boycott the show, helium said: "Absolutely nary 2nd feelings. The mode it happened was precisely the mode I wanted it to happen.”

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