TOOL's MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN Demonstrates Technique That 'Could Have Saved CHRIS ROCK's Life'

March 31, 2022

TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan has chimed in on actor Will Smith storming onstage during this year's live Oscars broadcast and smacking Chris Rock across the face before returning to his front-row seat and yelling a profanity-filled threat at the comedian.

The confrontation took place after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, calling Jade Pinkett Smith "G.I. Jane" in reference to her bald head, which she has previously explained is due to the medical condition alopecia.

In a new video shared via his personal Instagram account, Keenan, who recently earned a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, demonstrated what he jokingly described as one of "the techniques that could have saved Chris Rock's life."

"I realize we're on the ass end of beating this dead horse, but fuckit," Keenan wrote in a caption accompanying the video.

Smith first apologized about the incident at the Oscars, expressing his sorrow to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his fellow nominees in a tear-filled speech while accepting his "Best Actor" trophy. A day later, he went further in an Instagram post, saying that "violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive" and calling his behavior at the Academy Awards "unacceptable and inexcusable."

The Academy has condemned Smith's actions and started a formal review around the incident. On Wednesday, the organization behind the Oscars revealed that Smith was asked to leave the ceremony following the slap. "Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated," the Academy's statement read in part. "While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."

Rock has reportedly declined to press any charges against Smith.

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