Suicide-bereaved mum backs Will Smith's 'passion' in Chris Rock slap

28 March 2022, 16:07

Distraught mother discusses impact of hair loss bullying on son

By James Bickerton

A heartbroken mother, who lost her son to suicide after he was bullied over his hair loss, has said she understands the “passion” behind Will Smith’s Oscars attack on Chris Rock, but doesn’t “condone hitting”.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Will slapped the celebrated comedian after he made a joke mocking his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, from the Academy Awards stage on Sunday night.

In 2018 Jada revealed she had been diagnosed with alopecia areata, a condition that causes dramatic hair loss.  

In an apparent reference to the condition of her hair Chris joked: “Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2.” In response, Will mounted the stage and slapped Chris across the face.

Julie from Reigate phoned Shelagh Fogarty and revealed her son faced a “a very similar situation” to Jada.

Suffering from an autoimmune disorder which caused hair loss, he experienced bullying and a dramatic loss of confidence. The caller explained: “He got picked on at school and he developed depression, PTSD, anxiety.  

READ MORE: Will Smith boasted of causing 'chaos' before Oscars as calls grow for him to lose award

Education Secretary tells Will Smith "violence is never the answer"

"He felt complete shame about it. He felt it was his fault and it wasn’t.  

“He ended up going to university, two years ago he ended his life. He was so traumatised by what he’d gone through in the past. He felt such shame, just unworthy, and he ended his life.” 

Julie praised Jada for her openness in talking about her alopecia, and paid an emotive tribute to her son.  

She commented: “Jada had been open about her hair loss, which I think’s amazing. My son was completely buttoned up about it and wouldn’t speak to a soul.  

“He wanted to go to uni, he was studying physio, he was the kindest gentlest soul. He just didn’t have the armour for this world.”

For help call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

READ MORE: Moment Denzel Washington and Bradley Cooper calm Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

The Princess of Wales says she edited the photograph that was released to mark Mother's Day.

The insistence that we see Kate is tantamount to stalking, writes Shelagh Fogarty

Caller tells Shelagh his solution to illegal immigration.

LBC caller tells Shelagh Fogarty that the Channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration'

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' immigration policies

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' migration policies

Shelagh Fogarty

Former Treasury official outlines 'three immediate priorities' likely to be reflected in Autumn Statement

Shelagh Fogarty

Suella Braverman's hardline crime bill seems like she's ‘interviewing' for career at ‘pathetic’ news channels, says caller

Shelagh and caller Sam

Anti-Semitic chants and actions 'delegitimize' pro-Palestinian cause asserts this Shelagh Fogarty caller

Shelagh and Ricardo Dos Santos

'It's sickening': Ricardo Dos Santos speaks to Shelagh Fogarty as two officers sacked over stop and search

Shelagh

Rishi Sunak has 'failed monumentally' to 'humanise' both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict says Israel expert

Shelagh and Callum

Twitter is a 'particularly dangerous' place to get information now says the Centre for Countering Digital Hate

Shelagh and caller Simon

LBC caller details 'disgusting anti-Semitic' act he witnessed, as hate crimes rise in fall out of Israel-Hamas war

Sister of missing Israeli woman

'We hope she's hiding somewhere': Sister of missing Israeli festival goer fears she is being held hostage by Hamas

Distraught caller on Israel-Gaza conflict.

'This is a war against Hamas!': Distraught caller wants Israel and Palestine to take down the 'enemy' together

Shelagh and Alicia Kearns

Head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee expresses concern over Israeli 'siege of Gaza'

Shelagh Fogarty caller on facial recognition.

This caller lacks 'trust' in the government's handling of the AI facial recognition debate

Shelagh condemns PM's comments on 'dignity' of the elderly.

'He painted a picture of a Britain that the Conservatives meant to build...': Shelagh Fogarty condemns PM's suggestion that elderly have 'dignity'

Shelagh Fogarty on Jenrick

'We're full aren't we?': Shelagh questions Robert Jenrick's motive behind encouraging Brits to increase birth rate