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Will Smith slapped Chris Rock Sunday night at the Oscars after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.

“Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it, alright?” Rock said while presenting at the ceremony.

Actor Will Smith, right, slaps actor Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. (Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images)

Following the comment, Oscar-winner Will Smith walked to the stage and slapped Rock, went back to his seat and yelled swears at the comedian, WJW reports.

After the show, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences issued a statement saying it “does not condone violence of any form.”

Pinkett Smith revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia. She has discussed the challenges of hair loss on social media.

“Just all of a sudden one day,” she said talking about her hair loss.

She announced in December she would be shaving it down to the scalp because of her condition.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia is a condition that causes a person’s hair to fall out. There are various types of alopecia, some of which include hair loss on a person’s entire body.

Anyone can develop alopecia, but the chances are greater if you have family members who are diagnosed with autoimmune disorders like diabetes, lupus or thyroid disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease, where a person’s immune system attacks the body, in this case, the hair follicles, the Clinic states.

When this happens, the person’s hair falls out, often in big clumps.

In some cases, the hair grows back but falls out again later.

There are also treatments that work for some people.

How common is alopecia?

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) says there are 2.5 million people in the U.S. living with alopecia.

Several other famous people have struggled with it.

Learn more in the slideshow below.

In one Overland Park wig shop, hair loss is no laughing matter. Kathryn Brown with Bravada’s Wigs and Extensions sees customers with alopecia all the time.

“I’m hoping this brings up more conversation. It brings alopecia to the forefront,” Brown said. “It allows women to talk about hair loss. It allows women to feel more comfortable about it.”

Brown said this exposure for alopecia is important because it can be treated, and it could lead more women to seek help.

Dr. Meggan Newland, dermatology director at Saint Luke’s Health System, said she believes also the incident at the Oscars could turn out to be helpful.

“Anything people find embarrassing or shame from, if you speak about it, it’s easier to embrace. Come see a dermatologist and we can do something about it,” she said.

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