Steve Harvey Calls Will Smith's Slap A "Punk Move": "I Lost A Lot Of Respect For Him"

BY Erika Marie 368.5K Views
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Steve Harvey, Will Smith
He also said that if Smith had done the same to him and sat in his seat, "Jada would have to move out of the way."

It has been two months since Will Smith and Chris Rock's slapping incident at the Oscars took over pop culture, and comedians are still letting Smith have it. Immediately following the infamous Academy Awards moment, comedians came forward to express their disgust with Smith's behavior, and while much of that conversation has dissipated within the last two months, Steve Harvey is reviving the topic.

According to reports, Harvey recently spoke at Georgia State University where he addressed several issues including Smith and Rock's altercation. Harvey touched on being a religious man but struggled with whether or not he would have been as passive as Rock.

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“I’m a Christian, but I’m really undeveloped. I don’t have high-level Christianity," said Harvey. "On a scale of one to 10, I’m like a two. That’s the level of Christianity I can work on. You slap T.D. Jakes, he’ll turn the other cheek. You slap me? If you sit back in your seat, Jada would have to move out of the way. That’s the type of Christian I am.”

Smith's reputation has taken a hit since the incident and there have been several reports of delayed or canceled projects involving the actor. Harvey also told the GSU audience that Smith only executed his slap because it was Rock on the stage. He also reportedly said that Smith pulled a "punk move" before saying that he "lost a lot of respect" for the Oscar-winning actor.


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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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