The awards show’s host Trevor Noah wasted no time in making a reference to the slap, which took place onstage at the Oscars while Rock was presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature.
An off-color joke about Jada Pinkett Smith brought Will to the stage where he hauled off and slapped the comedian.
“Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth,” Will shouted twice after retuning to his seat.
Noah was quick to reference the infamous moment during his opening remarks.
“We’re gonna be keeping people’s names out of our mouths,” he joked.
Believe it or not, that is not the first reference to the moment during the Grammys.
LeVar Burton poked fun at the moment while announcing winners during the pre-show.
“I want to warn you all that our next presenter is a comedian. If you know what I mean,” he said, according to the New York Post.
“So I need to caution everybody: Remain in your seats and keep your hands to yourself. Alright?”
The publication noted that Nate Bargatze also walked onto the stage wearing a protective helmet as an accessory.
“They said comedians have to wear these now at award shows during their joke parts,” he joked. “It doesn’t even cover your face, I think it just focuses where you would hit me.”
Questlove, who won the award Rock was presenting at the Oscars, also joked about the moment while onstage.
“I suggest you people stay 500 feet away from me. Just kidding,” he said.
It’s a pretty safe bet that we’ll see at least a couple more references throughout the night.
Mccall Kwadzo is the editor-in-chief for Mccall Kwadzo.com. Been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and celebss spaces since 2017.
