Comedian Chris Rock claims that he declined an invitation to host the 2023 Academy Awards after actor Will Smith slapped him during this year’s award ceremony which took place in March.
Chris Rocks Likens Going Back To The Oscars To Returning To A Crime Scene
During a comedy set at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, Chris said that going back to the Oscars was like returning to a crime scene, as reported by the Arizona Republic. Chris also made a reference to the 1995 murder trial of O.J. Simpson, saying that it would be like telling late Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant” where her mom left a pair of glasses the night she died.
Chris Rock Declines Offer To Host The Oscars 2023 After Will Smith Slapped Him On Stage
He continued to say that Will Smith’s slap itself hurt referencing his turn as Muhammed Ali in the 2001 movie Ali, saying, “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.” Chris said that he also turned down the opportunity to appear in a Super Bowl ad.
Earlier this month, new Academy CEO, Bill Kramer said that the Oscars have no plans to revisit the incident at next year’s ceremony. Kramer stated, “We want to move forward and to have an Oscars that celebrates cinema. That’s our focus right now, but it’s really about moving forward.” Recall that Will Smith walked onto the stage and hit Chris Rock after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
The infamous slap led to months of fallout for Will Smith, who won the Best Actor. The actor resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was banned from attending Academy events for 10 years. He however apologized to the comedian via Instagram the following day and then he made another apology on July 29. “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out,” Smith said.
“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.” While Chris is yet to officially comment on the televised physical assault, he taken to the stages during his comedy tour to talk about the incident “Everybody is trying to be a f—ing victim,” Rock said during a show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta in July.
“If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims. Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith … I went to work the next day, I got kids.” He continued, “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”
