Chris Rock has finally addressed his altercation with Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards.
As reported by Variety, the comedian briefly discussed the now-infamous slap during a sold-out stand-up show in Boston. Amidst the cheers from the audience, Rock can be heard saying, “I don’t have a bunch of sh-t about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend. I’m still kind of processing what happened. So, at some point I’ll talk about that sh-t. And it will be serious and funny.” Before Rock began his show in earnest, a member of the crowd can be heard chanting “F-ck Will Smith.” This is the first time Rock has publically acknowledged the incident.
The incident to which the comedian is referring is the now-infamous moment during the 2022 Oscars ceremony where Best Actor winner Will Smith slapped Rock after he told a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia. The moment quickly went viral, prompting an official investigation by the Oscars which may result in disciplinary action. Smith is accused of violating the Academy’s Standards of Conduct by engaging in “inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.” After the incident, Smith was reportedly asked the leave the ceremony but refused.
Following the conclusion of the 2022 Academy Awards, Smith issued a public apology to Rock, saying that his behavior was unacceptable. “Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about [Jada Pinkett Smith’s] medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” wrote Smith. “I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.” Smith concluded his statement by saying that there is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
What has colloquially become known as “the slap heard around the world” has been condemned by several of Hollywood’s elite. Comedian Jim Carey said that he was “sickened” by the situation, elaborating that someone can “yell from the audience and show disapproval or say something on Twitter [that’s fine]. But you do not have the right to walk up on stage and smack somebody in the face because they said words.”
Source: Instagram
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