Will Smith Trends in India: Rob Lowe’s 2022 Oscars Slap Comment and the 300% Search Spike Explained

Why 'will smith' is trending in India

As of 26 September 2026, Google Trends India recorded roughly 500 searches for "will smith" over the previous 24 hours, a growth of about 300%. The spike is linked to comments actor Rob Lowe made on SiriusXM's "Andy Cohen Live" about the 2022 Oscars, when Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage. Reports on the remarks were published on 25 September 2026 by outlets including HuffPost, USA TODAY and Complex.

What Rob Lowe said

Lowe, 62, said he was "the only person happy" when the slap happened. His reason was personal: he hoped the incident would replace his own widely mocked 1989 Oscars opening number—a "Proud Mary" duet with Snow White—as the worst moment in Academy Awards history. He told co-hosts Andy Cohen and John Hill that he still gets reminded of the 1989 performance every year, quipping that "there should be a statute of limitations." Lowe also said people brought up his opening again during the 2026 Emmy Awards, telling him "At least it wasn't Rob."

The 2022 Oscars slap: a quick recap

During the live broadcast of the 2022 Oscars, host Chris Rock joked about a possible "G.I. Jane" sequel, referencing the shaved head of Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Pinkett Smith has alopecia, an autoimmune condition that can cause hair loss. Will Smith walked onstage and slapped Rock before returning to his seat and shouting at him. Smith later won Best Actor for "King Richard." He apologized, resigned from the Academy, and received a 10-year ban from Academy events.

Chris Rock's recent reflection

In a September 8 interview with Variety, Rock reflected on the incident for the first time in a new profile. He said he wishes nothing would have happened and downplayed its importance compared with other world events. Rock, who has hosted the Oscars three times, said the only way he would return is if he were nominated—and he does not expect that to happen.

What the search spike confirms—and what it does not

Google Trends data verifies search interest, not the truth of news claims. The 300% rise reflects retrospective curiosity about a four-year-old awards-show moment, not a new controversy. There is no evidence in the supplied reporting that the spike is tied to any fresh development beyond Lowe's remarks and Rock's earlier interview. For readers in India, the trend is a reminder of how quickly a viral clip or celebrity quote can revive global interest in an old story.

Key facts at a glance

• Search volume: approximately 500 searches for "will smith" in India in 24 hours, as of 26 September 2026.
• Growth: about 300% compared with the previous period.
• Trigger: Rob Lowe's 24 September 2026 appearance on "Andy Cohen Live."
• Original incident: Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
• Aftermath: Smith resigned from the Academy and received a 10-year ban from its events.