In reflecting on the Oscars, do you remember more about the awards themselves or does the Chris Rock & Will Smith event take center stage? Personally, I can’t recall a single winner from that night, or even what award they went home with.
The morning after the Oscars, social media was flooded with memes, clips, opinions, and theories regarding the conflict between Rock & Smith. Some people speculated that “the slap” was a publicity stunt for the Oscars to receive more attention. Others debated whether they were “Team Chris” or “Team Will.” Regardless of the authenticity of the situation or which side you’re on, the Oscars gained substantial amounts of recognition.
Apart from their roles and stature that bring them fame, what else brings a celebrity’s success forward? The backbone of social success is indeed press and publicity, such as the conflict at the Oscars, guaranteed to stir up gossip.
The viewership of the 2022 Oscars skyrocketed by over half a million people after the slap. Prior to the confrontation, viewership had been slacking off, not long after Troy Kotsur represented the first deaf man to win an Oscar. After the slap and once Will Smith approached the stage to give his speech after winning an Oscar, that trend seemed to change.
The numbers speak for themselves. The gossip surrounding celebrity drama is the primary cause of their make-or-break career. Okay There seems to be a modern social pattern. Celebrity news is spread, the audience then proceeds to choose a side, vouch for that side, and create their own media surrounding the situation. Regardless of the backlash that celebs receive from the widespread recognition, good or bad, the recognition shapes their careers of fame.
What’s up with Rock and Smith now? Well, Will Smith has people in his corner; however, many people, including some of his famous peers, are pushing for his Oscar to be revoked. Some of Smith’s projects with companies such as Netflix and Sony are being temporarily halted due to the companies looking to reassess the repercussions of aiding the career of such a controversial subject.
On the other hand, Chris Rock decided not to press charges on Smith. Since the Oscars, Rock has slowly moved on from the matter. However, in his first appearance on stage since the Oscars, he got emotional about the prior occurrences.
What can we learn from the 2022 Oscars? As there is nothing that will dim the social media presence of celebrity gossip, it’s important to be mindful of the news you consume. Opinions are important but reading too many opinion pieces can deter you from receiving truthful information.
We play a crucial role in celebrities’ social success. While we might have our idols, it’s important to take our celebrity interests with a grain of salt. After all, we are all human.