Chris Rock addressed “the slap” once more on tour — and he had some new info to share. While performing his stand-up present in Phoenix, Ariz. on Sunday night time, the comic claimed he was requested to host subsequent 12 months’s Oscars. It’s solely been 5 months since Will Smith stormed the stage throughout the awards present and hit Rock throughout the face for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.
The Arizona Republic reviews that in the present, “Rock compared returning to the Oscars like returning to the scene of a crime, referencing the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, whose ex-wife’s killing began with her leaving a pair of eyeglasses at an Italian restaurant. Rock said returning to the award ceremony would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson ‘to go back to the restaurant.'”
Rock, who’s beforehand joked about the incident, mentioned he refused the invitation. He additionally revealed he was supplied a Super Bowl industrial due to the incident, however “profanely” refused that as properly, per the paper. Rock didn’t refuse to focus on the slap, although. When somebody in the sold-out crowd egged him on to discuss it, the comedian admitted the blow from Smith, who performed boxer Muhammad Ali in Ali, damage.
“He’s bigger than me,” Rock purportedly quipped. “The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
Yahoo Entertainment reached out to the Academy for touch upon Rock’s claims, however didn’t instantly obtain a response. However, the group sometimes by no means responds to internet hosting rumors (or affords).
ABC President of Entertainment Craig Erwich mentioned in May he was open to Rock internet hosting the 2023 telecast. The comic beforehand hosted in 2005 and 2016.
“My assessment of the Oscars was that it was really a successful year for the show. Obviously there was a lot of controversy, which overshadowed a lot of the positive things about the show, but I was really happy with the program,” Erwich instructed Deadline. “Even before that very unfortunate moment, the show started off up year over year, and we came back in a big way.”
Smith resigned from the Academy after the incident and was later banned from Academy associated occasions for 10 years. After months of staying out of the highlight, the actor has slowly begun to emerge from hiding. One month in the past, Smith returned to social media and apologized to Rock.
“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There is no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults,” Smith mentioned.
“I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out. So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk,” Smith added.
Insiders say it is unlikely that Rock is raring to sit down with the Oscar winner anytime quickly.
MORE: Will Smith “is doing good” as he emerges with Jada Pinkett Smith months after Oscars slap
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