Chris Rock Refuses To Address Will Smith Oscars Slap During Surprise New York Comedy Show
Chris Rock still isn’t ready to talk about the infamous incident between him and Will Smith at the Oscars last month after making a surprise appearance at New York’s Comedy Cellar on Tuesday evening.
The Tamborine star performed an unannounced set at the venue, much to the delight of hundreds of fans. Yet, one thing that Chris made clear from the beginning of his show was that he would not be addressing any matters concerning the controversial Academy Awards fiasco involving Will.
“He literally only addressed it as the crowd was going wild for his surprise appearance, and he got on stage and said, ‘Lower your expectations. I’m not going to address that s–t,’” an insider told Page Six.
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Other comedians who graced the stage at the New York club included Judy Gold, Yamaneika Saunders, and Sam Morril.
Fans were left stunned when Will served Chris with a slap across the face at the Oscars after making a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, who has been sporting a buzzcut hairstyle ever since sharing her ordeal with alopecia.
Ahead of presenting the award for Best Documentary, which ended up going to Summer of Soul, the comedian started his segment by directing a comment toward Jada as she sat front row beside her husband of 25 years.
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“Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2,” he said, in reference to the 1997 film of the same name starring Demi Moore, who had shaved her head for the role in the Ridley Scott-directed motion picture.
While Will initially laughed at the remark, Jada seemed far from impressed as she rolled her eyes in disgust. Her reaction prompted her partner to confront Chris moments later and take a swing at the 57-year-old before walking back to his seat in an ever-so-calm manner.
Just days after the controversial incident, which accumulated over 50 million views on YouTube in just 24 hours, Will announced he was resigning from the Academy following his inappropriate behavior aimed at Chris.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” the father-of-two expressed in a statement via Variety.
“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”