Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on the open stage at the Oscars 2022 – now Rock is reacting to the attack.

It's probably the most prominent Oscar scandal of all time. After a tasteless joke about Will Smith's wife, Smith attacks comedian Chris Rock on stage; Chris Rock has declined to press charges against Will Smith for slapping him in the middle of the Oscars.

Everyone in the hall and those watching at home were stunned by what happened during the glittering ceremony.

The comedian read out the nominees for the next award when he gave Smith's wife Jada a little dig by claiming she looked like 'GI Jane.'

Smith obviously didn't like the joke, so he went on stage and gave Rock a shocking slap in the face before calmly walking back to his seat.

"Will Smith just slapped me," Rock said to everyone in attendance, who seemed unnerved by the confrontation.

Embarrassed, Chris tried to move on to the next segment, but not before saying, "It was the best night in television history."

People initially puzzled over whether the moment was a scripted one, but video footage showed Smith landing the slap properly on Rock's face. It wasn't a fake slap; it was a direct hit, right on the cheek.

As a result, many now wondered whether Smith could be prosecuted for this act.

But the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that will not be the case.

In a statement to Variety, the LAPD said, "LAPD investigators are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards."

"The incident consisted of one person slapping another. The person involved refused to file a police report."

"Should the person concerned wish to file a police report later, the LAPD is available to prepare an investigation report."

The slap came just before Smith was presented with the 94th Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard.

The star cried while accepting the award and apologized for his outburst just minutes before.

"I would like to apologize to the Academy. In addition, I would like to apologize to all my fellow nominees," he said.

He continued, "Art mimics life. I look like the crazy dad, just like Richard Williams. But love makes you do crazy things."

Smith added at the end that he hopes the Academy will invite him back next year.