After being slapped by actor Will Smith during this year’s award ceremony in March, comedian Chris Rock reportedly declined an offer to host the Oscars the following year.
According to the Arizona Republic, Chris compared going back to the Oscars to returning to the scene of a crime during a comedy set at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday.
While discussing the hosting offer, the comedian alluded to O.J. Simpson’s 1995 murder trial, saying it would be like asking the late Nicole Brown Simpson to “go back to the restaurant” where her mother had left a pair of glasses the night of her death.
Chris stated that Smith’s slap hurt, referring to the actor’s performance as Muhammed Ali in the 2001 film Ali and explaining, “He towers over me. A fight between me and Will Smith would be illegal in Nevada.”
Following the slapping incident, Chris stated that he turned down the opportunity to appear in a Super Bowl commercial.
While presenting the best documentary feature award at the 2022 Academy Awards, Chris made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
Chris expressed his excitement about seeing Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia areata, star in ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ prompting Smith to go up on stage and slap Chris. “Keep my wife’s name out of your fu**ing mouth!” yelled Smith as he returned to his seat. A few minutes after the incident, Smith was named Best Actor at the 94th Academy Awards. Smith apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees but did not mention Chris while accepting his first Academy Award for best actor (leading role) in ‘King Richard.’
However, after receiving backlash for his disorderly behaviour, Smith apologised to Chris Rock and Academy on his social media handle.
“I’d like to apologise to you publicly, Chris. I was out of line and incorrect. I’m ashamed, and my actions do not reflect the man I aspire to be. Violence has no place in a world full of love and kindness “Smith shared the news on Instagram. “All forms of violence are poisonous and destructive. My conduct at the Academy Awards last night was both unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes about my health are part of the job, but one about Jada’s condition was too much for me to bear, and I reacted emotionally “Smith expressed his regret.
I’d also like to apologise to the Academy, the show’s producers, all of the attendees, and everyone watching around the world. I apologise to the Williams and King Richard families. I deeply regret that my behaviour has marred what has otherwise been a beautiful journey for all of us. “I am a work in progress,” he added.
Because of the slap, Smith’s membership in the Academy has been suspended for ten years.
