The world is still reeling from the scandal at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday, after Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
And as talk of the slap continues to dominate headlines, Twitter users have now unearthed an eerie prediction article which was published online in Australia on Sunday – hours before the moment came to light on live TV.
In a lengthy op-ed for The Saturday Paper, Christos Tsiolkas – author of 2008 novel The Slap, in which a man controversially reprimands his friend’s son by slapping him at a social gathering – mused that the ceremony had become ‘boring’ in recent years.
Bizarre: In a lengthy op-ed for The Saturday Paper, Christos Tsiolkas – author of 2008 novel The Slap, in which a man controversially reprimands his friend’s son by slapping him at a social gathering – mused that the ceremony had become ‘boring’ in recent years
The article opened with the line: ‘Does anyone really care about the Oscars anymore?’
Tsiolkas went on to question whether anyone in Australia watches the ceremony live, adding: ‘The assumption is that we are all watching it streamed. On the phone or on the laptop… The sense of occasion is diminished. The very form is outdated.’
Twitter users were quick to point out the irony of the article, after thousands viewed the incident which will forever be remembered as one of the most scandalous live TV moments of all time.
Fame: Christos Tsiolkas is the author of 2008 novel The Slap, in which a man controversially reprimands his friend’s son by slapping him at a social gathering
Ironic: The article opened with the line: ‘Does anyone really care about the Oscars anymore?’
In an even more ironic twist, Australia was one of the only countries in the world to provide access to the uncensored broadcast, which include Smith’s foul-mouthed rant to Rock from his seat.
‘Keep my wife’s name out your f**king mouth!’ Smith shouted in front of stunned audience members.
Also in the article, Tsiolkas wrote: ‘Even the controversies have become boring,’ before finishing his piece with the words: ‘Maybe some things about the Oscars will never change.’
He eerily concluded: ‘It would be nice to be proved wrong.’
One viewer posted the article online to highlight the irony, writing: ‘So we’re meant to believe that Christos Tsiolkas, the guy who wrote The Slap, published an article *two days* before this year’s Oscars saying that “even today’s controversies are boring”?
‘The universe continues making jokes.’
Twitter uproar: One viewer posted the article online to highlight the irony, writing: ‘So we’re meant to believe that Christos Tsiolkas, the guy who wrote The Slap, published an article *2 days* before this year’s Oscars saying that “even today’s controversies are boring”‘
‘Christos Tsiolkas, author of The Slap: the #Oscar awards are dead, nobody cares, they have no impact.
‘Google Trends results for “Christos Tsiolkas” when Chris Rock gets literally slapped at the Oscars mere hours later,’ another user added, sharing a picture of the search term popularity since the controversial ceremony aired.
‘#ChristosTsiolkas I’ve got this great idea for a sequel,’ one fan mused, while another wrote: ‘Actually cannot believe this.’
‘The irony of The Slap author Christos Tsiolkas writing this BEFORE the Oscar slap,’ another wrote alongside the article.
During Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony, Smith walked on stage and slapped Rock after he joked about Jada’s ‘G.I. Jane’ haircut, referring to the Demi Moore character who famously had a shaved head in the 1997 film.
Jada suffers from hair-loss condition alopecia.
Wild scenes: After Smith strode out on stage and slapped Rock with an open right hand, Rock staggered and exclaimed, ‘Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me’
The shocking scene, broadcast live around the world, stunned both the live audience at the Dolby Theatre and TV viewers.
After Smith strode out on stage and slapped Rock with an open right hand, Rock staggered and exclaimed, ‘Wow, Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me.’
Smith, visibly emotional, walked back to his seat in the audience and shouted: ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth.’
The exchange was muted on a delayed telecast in much of the U.S., but was aired in full to some international audiences.
Smith later used his acceptance speech for his first Academy Award to defend storming onto the Oscars stage.
He won Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father who raised tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in ‘King Richard.’
Marriage: Will Smith is pictured with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith
But his first Oscar win was completely overshadowed by the assault, which occurred about 40 minutes before his award was unsealed.
Smith was still allowed to make his acceptance speech and, with tears streaming down his face, he made an emotional defense of hitting Rock.
‘Love makes you do crazy things’, the rapper and actor admitted as he accepted his first Best Actor Oscar.
Will issued an apology a day after the show, saying in an Instagram post that he was ’embarrassed’ by his actions.
‘Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,’ he wrote.
‘My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
‘I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.’
Apology: Will issued an apology a day after the show, saying in an Instagram post that he was ’embarrassed’ by his actions
Smith then went on to say sorry to the organizers and the producers of the show.
He also extended his apology to the family of Venus and Serena Williams. Shortly after slapping Rock, Smith won the best actor award for his portrayal of their father Richard – but the story of their family was overshadowed by Smith’s attack on Rock.
‘I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,’ Smith continued.
‘I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.’
The Philadelphia-born actor concluded: ‘I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will.’
‘I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,’ he added
