Maybe I’ve been doing this job for too long, but I don’t understand why this story is such a big deal. It’s the “top story” on several different sites, and on several different media outlets. The headline? “Will Smith slaps reporter after reporter tries to kiss him.” Eh?
The backstory: Will was at the Moscow premiere of Men In Black III, walking the red carpet and stopping to talk to nearly every media outlet (or flat-out every media outlet). Celebrities like Will (and like Tom Cruise) are old-school: when they’re promoting something, they will work a red carpet. HARD. They will make sure everybody gets a quote and some face-time. So, Will stops at one outlet, does a little interview, and then moves on to the next outlet, where a Ukrainian reporter is waiting for his moment to shine. The reporter shakes Will’s hand, kisses one of Will’s cheeks, twists around and kisses the other cheek, then moves in for a mouth-to-mouth kiss. Will shoves the guy away, and starts to walk to the next outlet, then reaches back and – using the back of his hand – slaps the reporter on his cheek. Will says to the next outlet, “He’s lucky I didn’t sucker punch him.” Then Will continued down the line, giving interviews and autographs. This incident all went down in a matter of seconds, and there’s plenty of video:
Now, should Will have back-handed the guy? No. I think the shove was sufficient enough to say “Seriously, NOT COOL.” Playing devil’s advocate, would you feel differently if it was a female celebrity who was being man-handled on the press line? TMZ says this Ukrainian reporter is “known” for being really kissy with celebrities. Er…? He should stop. TMZ also notes pointedly that Will just came out in support of gay marriage, which I think is an unfair aside. Gay or straight, man or woman, everybody has the right to NOT be manhandled by strangers. I want to believe – and I really do hope – that this was some knee-jerk “OMG, I was kissed by a man!” homophobic reaction from Will. What I mean is that I don’t think it’s a reflection on his sexuality, whatever that may be. I think it’s simply a reflection of Will not wanting to have some stranger’s lips all over his face.
Photos of Will promoting ‘MIB III’ in London last week, courtesy of WENN.
I’m a married woman. I would’ve punched that man along with a swift kick to the balls. Good for Will being that reserved! No big deal.
Yea…I would have given that person a very quick slap too.
Agree. Social discipline sometimes calls for a little controlled violence.
Like when a protester gets wrapped in the head with a night-stick after throwing a molotov cocktail….the discipline should fit the infringement.
Will would have been out of line if he’d hit the guy with a night stick….unless the guy had just lit a molotov cocktail but that doesn’t happen often on the red carpet.
Rita funny. 🙂
I agree!!
I think Will was justified and should have slapped that moron even harder than he did.
I agree.
No shit. That’s not “manhandling”. It’s assault. Just because you are a celebrity doesn’t mean you have to endure being physically assaulted. And the author of this article has the audacity to suspect, or at least SAY, it’s homophobic? Wake up! The dude was physically assaulted by a stranger. Remember the chick who grabbed David Beckham’s crotch? Assault. It’s wrong period.
I agree he was mad reserved and I would’ve done the same thing. And he was contrite but still very much dignifying his actions afterwards. That reporter had some real balls like wtf lol
just normal, human reaction. no big deal.
Yep, when someone violates your personal space/physical boundaries like that you don’t think you just REACT. At least I do. Wasn’t much of a slap either.
That was just a miniature bitch slap!
You’d think he’d show more appreciation when a guy tries to kiss him.
Dude shoulda tried that on John Travolta instead!
LOL!!! But JT prefers them darker, remember?
I’m in Will’s corner on this one. Not cool. I think some reporters think they can get away with things on the red carpet and this was completely out of line. Yah, probably shouldnt have backhanded the guy, but if this idiot tries to press charges, I’d be happy to stand by Will Smith and say, “you deserved it buddy.”
i would have done the same. what the hell was that guy thinking? i think will’ s reaction was totally normal. (and i’m not going to buy any “cultural differences” argument, because that’s just flat-out invasive and inappropriate. and gross.)
I understand his first reaction, but the b-tch slap was a bit much! If her were a girl, he would have been embarrassed, but I’m betting if it were someone like say Madonna, with as much star power and glitter-life experience as Will, she would have probably asked if he won a bet.
Remember when Tommy Girl got pied in the face? He grind his teeth and let SECURITY do their job, i.e. get rid of the attacker.
Will Smith is paid outrageous amounts of money, and understands that being famous, is sometimes having the crazy showing you their love. You get stalkers, haters, bashers… And it seems kissers! Now the last one is atrocious.
That was was not even a real slap, Will used the back of his hand lol
Just a ´hey man, leave me alone` slap.
No, Will didn’t mind when he got kissed on both cheeks. It was when they guy looked like he was going for the mouth did Will shove the guy away.
I thought it was hilarious! My take on it is that it was the smirk on the guy’s face that made Will slap him. If it had been accidental (lips touching), I don’t think he would have cared. But seeing the smirk, he knew the guy did it on purpose.
“‘OMG, I was kissed by a man!’ homophobic reaction from Will.”
Why on earth this would be homophobic ?! I would not like to be kissed by a woman since I am not attracted by them, that does not mean that I’m homophobe!!!
I do not understand this homophobe argument. Because a man does not want some strange man kissing him on the lips he’s homophobic. Homosexuals better straighten out people who are making these comments because they are vile and stupid. 99% of people would not care to have their personal space violated like that.
i agree! i’m a straight woman and if a STRANGER man or female did that i would react the same way. regardless of sexuality. this has nothing to do with homophobia.
by the way, this so-called “journalist” is the same guy, who presented Madonna with a hydrangeas last year. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/will-smith-slaps-journalist-for-kiss-at-moscow-premiere/458836.html
He is a well-known troll, who has his own Borat-like show on Ukrainian TV. As for the slap – this idiot has had it a long time coming. He can be happy to have got away just with a slap.
Not defending the kisser- but giving someone flowers and kisses isn’t necessarily a bad thing…
Kisses are bad if they go for the mouth, cheeks too, because they’re violating your personal space.
Also, Madonna has stated publicly she hates hydrangeas, like HATES them, and the guy knew that and did it on purpose to provoke a reaction from her.
She was actually pretty classy and took the flowers, then later said, “I guess he didn’t get the memo,” cause she thought he was being sincere, when he was really just trolling.
OMG he gave Madonna flowers! Call in the troops! Did you happen to see her snobish uptight attitude when she saw they weren’t flowers that she liked? God such entitled brats! Jeez!
This reporter probably knew that this would get a lot of press. What an ass! I am 100% behinD Will Smith! I am a woman, and if a man or woman shook hands with me, kissed me on both cheeks and then came in for a lip lock, that person would have been on the floor…RESPECT PERSONAL SPACE!!!
No one invades my personal space. Go, Will. And my husband said he would have knocked him back with one swift punch.
I would’ve punched him a new mouth! What a creep!
If you are an actor you have to know how to handle with different situations. It was unusual but not dangerous. He overreacted. And if you add all these gay rumors it is just too much. He behaves the same way as Tom Cruise. If it was Jude Law or Robert Downey Jr. or Hugh Jackman he would laught or even he would kiss that man. It’s not big deal.
i may believe he overreacted if there was a fist involved. will didn’t mind d kisses on the cheeks, what he had a problem with, like most normal people, is a total stranger believing he had the right to kiss him on the lips without permission.
I don’t know about that. Will was game for the first kiss, even the second but the guy tried to pull him in for a third on the mouth. There’s no way any of those actors you named would have put up with that.
I’m not sure what any gay rumors have to do with this story. If this “journalist” does this to any man or woman, they have a right to defend themselves from forced sharing of bodily fluids with a stranger. If it had just been kisses on the cheek, fine, but mouth to mouth is a no-no. It’s harassment, pure and simple. And you have no idea how any other actor would have reacted unless they have been in the same situation.
That reporter is damn lucky will or his security didn’t do a lot worse. I think Will’s slap was a knee jerk reaction…and a totally justified one at that.
P.s. I LOVE his suit.
It kinda looks like an overreaction but also understandable as he was taken by surprise and it took a minute to regain his composure. I don’t know if the delayed slap was necessary and the comment about sucker punching him sounded a bit dicky even if a perfectly understandable reaction. I dare say the likes of the others mentioned above would have had a wittier comeback.
I think the reporter deserved it but I’m wondering if all the John Travolta news made Will react stronger than he normally would have.
That journalist was such a troll. I don’t usually get upset about celebrity encounters but I found myself livid that there were people defending him for violating Will Smith just because Will Smith is a celebrity. Unbelievable.
I don’t even like strangers (like, people whom I’ve just been introduced to) kissing me on the cheek (be it a man or woman). Kissing a stranger on the mouth? WAY over the line. Not cool, and I don’t blame Will for being annoyed.
That’s a traditional greeting in both Russia and Ukraine, someone should have briefed him about Russian culture first, but again I don’t see why a reporter would attempt it on a Celebrity from USA who may not be familiar with Russian manners and customs.
If you plan to visit Russia or Ukraine don’t be surprised if someone does this to you.
I’m Russian, and what you are saying is absolutely wrong – to put it mildly. Believe me, we don’t go around kissing total strangers. Or do you see any other journalists trying to give Will a round of snogging?
Yup, I believe that males exchange hand shakes while their gf just stand next to them awkwardly smiling, that’s about it. 3 kisses are just for church (and politicians). Right?
I have a hangover, so I’ll keep this brief: I’ve lived in Russia for years and you’re wrong.
Who told you that? You read this on some other comments section and decided to copy it? I live in Ukraine and I can tell you that no one does that. That statement is wrong and ridiculous. No one will do this to you if you will visit Ukraine or Russia.
Man and woman can kiss each other on the cheeks if they know each other. Woman and woman can can kiss each other on the cheeks if they know each other. They only kiis on cheek if they KNOW EACH OTHER. Strangers don’t do that. And man and man don’t kiss each other. And keep in mind that reporter tried to kiss Will on the lips!!! So please don’t say ridiculous crap about culture in Ukraine.
I don’t think Will over-reacted in the least. If a stranger of any sex tried to kiss me on the lips, that’s just inappropriate and uncool. I find it disturbing that there are so many “comedians” today whose “schtick” it is to do things like this.
I don’t like WS much but he has a right to protect his person. Just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean every Tom, Dick and Harry gets to do anything they want to you.
If this is this reporter’s “schtick” and he’s trying it out on Will then he’s just using him for his own “image PR boost” and a feather in his cap and probably deserves to be drop-kicked down the red carpet.
He wasn’t a reporter. He is a comedian, doing the same sort of things that Dennis Pennis did in the 90’s
If it was an actress people would be patting her on her back for standing up for herself but since it’s a dude you got people questioning whether or not he overreacted?! Seriously?? To me that was tame compared would’ve happen to dude if it was someone else. If it was me the reporter dude would be getting up not standing up I would have laid his ass out.
I still don’t see why Will Smith went so nuts. Its not like he was a defenseless in a back alley with some dude trying to get it on.
I still think he went overboard. JMO.
Really? If someone did this to you on a bus, you would be totally fine with it? If someone did this to your child, you wouldn’t have a problem? Don’t tell me that he’s a man or a celebrity. He is in more danger that the regular every day Joe. Doe you know how many carzy people stalk movie stars? And how many have been killed by crazy fans? The man should be arrested. No one should be allowed in your personal space and touch you without your permission. The End!
Hes not a child, he wasn’t on a bus or a back alley. I think its ridiculous.
And we’re talking about what DID happen, not what COULD have happened. You can make up a million scenarios and argue them to death, but thats not what happened. I’m saying that I think he completely over reacted to what DID happen. Not what COULD have happened.
Well, since you said The End! this debate is over
I watched the video and wouldn’t consider what Will did ‘going nuts’. The interviewer deserved the push and the tap (let’s be honest, the media is making that so called back-hand into a bigger thing than it was) was just a gut reaction to being attacked. Perhaps if he had to do over, he would have just pushed the guy, but he didn’t have our luxury of sitting back, thinking about it, looking at other comments, before passing judgement.
He did not go nuts. He was actually pretty calm and he was back to being affable immediately as it was over and continued being the professional he is.
Good for Will…respect personal space!
I think it was quite restrained of Will not to punch the guy. The reporter crossed the line. He’s clearly an attention seeker who is after another 5 minutes of fame.
I think Will’s reaction was totally justified. I also didn’t think it was cool when Isaac Mizarahi touched Scarlet’s breast during their interview. Totally inappropiate and a violation of personal space. I would have punched both those dudes.
Cosign!!
Agree.
What Isaac Mizarahi did was so terrible. Ugh.
Well I want to talk about the clothes! I love both of these suits. I love that he mixes in lots of color and patterns.
I love that Smith wears pants that fit.
I am so dang tired of seeing awful fitting clothes on men. I can not even being to explain, how I hate pants with the crotch hanging to the knee’s.
There is a entire generation of men who look like hobo’s. Whom lack decent grooming habits.
And I am amazed daily… that those scuzzy looking boys in their ratty clothes, wearing flip-flops and no grooming… can get laid.
ITA, especially the how do they get laid part 🙂
This has nothing to do with homophobia and everything to do with respect. I would have slapped him too.
The slap wasn’t necessary but shoving him back was def acceptable and I think he reacted normal. Shaking hands is one thing and I know cheek kissing is a custom is eastern europe (me being eastern european) but if the guy was a normal journalist he should have asked if it would have been fine. It was out of the line and a troll move. I’m with Will Smith on this one.
Totally agree with everything you said Kaiser. Your body is your own. I really dislike this double standard toward men. Just because Will Smith defends his body doesn’t mean he’s homophobic or violent (he’s usually incredibly gracious). I don’t think the message the media should be sending out by making this a big deal is: It’s okay to grope him and it’s not okay for him to defend himself. He may have taken it step too far but damn as a woman I’d respond pretty strong so why wouldn’t a man.
I think Will handled it as graciously as he could and after it was over I thought he was very charming. He explained, then laughed it off and calmed everyone around him with an “It’s all good!” A total professional.
No one wants a stranger kissing his mouth. Will was ok until that point, slapping the guy on the back and hugging, but the mouth? Too much and the little tiny slap was kinda cute.
“TMZ also notes pointedly that Will just came out in support of gay marriage, which I think is an unfair aside.” It had nothing to do with gay marriage. Nobody deserves to be sexually harassed just because they’re on live TV. That’s bullshit.
Will was more than gracious until the creep tried to go for more. He did not over-react, not by a long shot. That individual should be banned from these events.
WELL, in Ukraine, Poland and other slavic countries it’s fairly normal to kiss a person you’re greeting, no matter the gender. will should have considered that, he was in moscow, after all.
If it is so common, why did none of the other interviewers do this?
That is lie. There is no such tradition as stranger man kissing another man that he doesn’t know. IN THE LIPS! Man can kiss woman on the cheek. No in the lips.
And actually Will could easily file a lawsuit for sexual assault 🙂 Imagine that you are walking somewhere on the street (no matter man or woman) and some male stranger comes you you, says: “Hello dear” and then grabs your face and kisses you in the lips… You would call cops and that man would be arrested for sexual assault.
Not an overreaction. You could see he was trying to be friendly with the first two kisses, but the third was way too much. And that was barely even a slap.
Two kisses on the cheeks are different from going in for mouth. I would have slapped him too. Defense of personal space.
I’m sorry. But where in the video did we see this guy actually trying to kiss Will in mouth?? I’m sorry..are we all watching the same clip? Coz all I saw was the guy giving him kisses on both cheeks then SHOVED and bitchslapped.
Yeah looked like he was going for the often customary three kiss greeting on alternate cheeks. Not the mouth. Still, not mad at Will, if he assumed the guy was about to kiss his mouth & acted in reflex due to the misunderstanding.
I didn’t see it either after watching it several times. I assumed it was after the second kiss and I just couldn’t see it. Finally I started watching after the first kiss, then I think the guy’s head was bobbling along toward Will’s mouth and Will then jerked his head to the side really fast so that it landed on his other cheek. It happened so fast, maybe we could see it better in slo-mo. But whatever, Will obviously thought the intent was there and reacted. I thought he acted as graciously as he could under odd circumstances. No harm done.
If the reporter were black, you’d have an uproar over the over assertion of dominance. Will Smith is a douche.
in my opinion, i think you are 100% wrong. everyone would be reacting the same way regardless of race.
Cultural differences aside, NOBODY (other than your GF or spouse) should be kissing on you without invitation.
That was definitely a violation and I might have done the same thing. The guy had no right to do that. Will was angry and I don’t blame him. It was so public and happened while he was on camera, not good, so I consider this a slap-able moment!