Will and Jada Smith's Charity Takes A Big Hit After 2022 Oscars Slap Incident: Report

Will Smith’s infamous slap to Oscar 2022 host Chris Rock came with a fair share of consequences. The actor hit Chris Rock across his face on the stage in front of the audience after the latter made a joke about Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett’s baldness. Jada has been suffering from alopecia since 2018. Following the event, the Oscar committee banned the I Am Legend fame from attending the prestigious ceremony for 10 years. Now, Will Smith’s slap debacle seems to have affected the charity foundation run jointly by him and his wife. Reportedly, the couple’s Will And Jada Smith Family Foundation will cease operating forever.

The Will And Jada Smith Family Foundation catered to administering well-being and health concerns, sustainability and arts education. But after Will Smith’s questionable actions at the 2022 Oscars, his reputation seems to have impacted the fundamentals of the charity organisation. According to Variety, the tax filings after the incident show that eminent personalities stopped contributing to the Foundation with the enterprise being in the process of a permanent shutdown.

As per the tax data obtained by Variety via ProPublica, the Will, and Jada Smith Family Foundation’s earnings decreased from $1,760,000 (Rs 14 crore approximately) in 2020 and $2,138,660 (Rs 17 crore approx) in 2021 to $365,870 (Rs 30 crore approx) in 2022. The 83 per cent dip over the last few years was caused by the withdrawal of benefactors like American Airlines and CAA, which provided $76,160 (Rs 63 lakh approx) and $100,000 (Rs 83 lakh approx) in 2021 respectively.

In 2022, the Will And Jada Smith Family Foundation offered $100,000 (Rs 83 lakh approx) to the American Film Institute and $2,500 (Rs 2 lakh) to Big Brothers Big Sisters as a part of their charitable donation. The organisation even granted a fair sum of money to two comparatively smaller establishments namely the World Rebirth Foundation and Rebecoming.

Speaking about Will Smith, the actor is currently ready for the release of his upcoming film Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. Directed by Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi, the fourth sequel to the popular action-comedy film franchise will be released theatrically on June 7.