Nobel Peace Prize winner and activist Malala Yousafzai is being applauded for the way she handled Jimmy Kimmel‘s terrible gag that mentioned the Harry Styles and Chris Pine #SpitGate at this year’s Oscars.
Malala Yousafzai — who has done amazing work for women’s and human rights, and education activism — was in attendance of the 2023 Oscars as her film Stranger At The Gate was in the running to win Best Documentary Short Film.
I am so proud to be part of the Oscar-nominated short documentary STRANGER AT THE GATE, a story of compassion and kindness that will leave you feeling inspired.
Watch it now on the @NewYorker: https://t.co/y96kCEmJpc pic.twitter.com/pqo0IHwcvU
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) February 21, 2023
During the awards ceremony, Jimmy approached the activist with a question from a “fan” — that was obviously fake for a shits n gigs — that asked: “As the youngest Nobel Prize winner in history I was wondering, do you think Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine?”
In a classy, swift response, Malala said, “I only talk about peace.”
BOOOM.
ICYMI: There was a rumour suggesting that Harry Styles had spit on Chris Pine during the Venice Film Festival at the Don’t Worry Darling premiere late last year, but the #SpitGate has since been debunked by both celebs.
Jimmy quickly responded to Malala saying: “You know what? That’s why you’re Malala and nobody else is.”
Fans took to Twitter to roast Jimmy’s failed gag.
One user, who retweeted Jimmy’s gag, wrote: “This man is so painfully unfunny and pathetic he stoops to being rude to Malala Yousafzai of all people for some cheap, uncomfortable laughs.”
the way he acted towards her was so extremely disrespectful, from this stupid vapid question to making fun of her NAME. this man is so painfully unfunny and pathetic he stoops to being rude to Malala Yousafzai of all people for some cheap, uncomfortable laughs. https://t.co/nAokhUvjmA
— israa 🇵🇸 barriss defender 4ever (@israaverse) March 13, 2023
Another user implied that Malala was basically telling Jimmy to “go fuck himself.”
Malala basically telling Jimmy Kimmel to go fuck himself in the most diplomatic way possible was great.
— LaT ⚖💖💜💙 (@latxcvi) March 13, 2023
Other users have praised Malala for her quick response to Jimmy’s gag.
“I only talk about peace”: a most elegant response from @Malala in response to a silly spitgate question from Jimmy Kimmel. She’s a Nobel Peace Prize winner, don’t waste her time. #Oscars
— Sunny Adcock (@SunnyTheeWriter) March 13, 2023
“I only talk about peace.” Exactly, Malala don’t let them mix you.
— The Rogue Princess (@ShenaeCurry) March 13, 2023
malala gagged kimmel with her tweet and “i only talk about peace” pic.twitter.com/aZyNFvEGZH
— katie🍒💐💌30 (@daylightlvrs) March 13, 2023
And as much as it grinds my gears to watch that whole interaction between Jimmy and Malala, the activist reshared the gag on her personal Twitter, writing, “Treat people with kindness.”
It is also quite telling that she tweeted this DURING the ceremony and not after.
Treat people with kindness✌️ https://t.co/ZvUVHcrTBJ
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) March 13, 2023
Many people showed their support for the Nobel Peace Prize winner under her reshared tweet.
One user wrote: “You deserved better. That was shameful behaviour and you handled it with dignity and class,” under Malala’s retweet.
And to make things every more gross for Jimmy, right after Malala responded to the question about #SpitGate, he jokingly said, “That’s a great answer Malala… The winner is Malalaland everybody.”
The infamous @jimmykimmel ‘malaland’ joke…#Oscar#Oscar2023 #Oscars95 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/C52YFikRF8
— 𝙴𝚍𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚘 𝚅𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚞𝚎𝚟𝚊 (@e__VILLANUEVA) March 13, 2023
Things got even worse as the gag went on. At one point Jimmy had to shoo Cocaine Bear away from Malala.
“Cocaine Bear, leave Malala alone!” The future of cinema is so bright. #Oscars2023 pic.twitter.com/jJ2CERz573
— Raven Brunner (@raventbrunner) March 13, 2023
Please… JUST LEAVE MALALA ALONE.
