Photo: Self
Chris Rock will not be hosting the 2023 ceremony for the Oscars.
During a performance in Phoenix on his sold-out stand-up tour, Rock shared that the Academy had called on him to return as a host for the 2023 awards show – an offer he rejected, per the Arizona Republic.
The comedian then compared such a comeback to reminiscing the scene of the incident after the Will Smith slap of 2022.
According to Rock, returning to the Oscars would be akin to urging Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant” where she had left a pair of glasses the evening she was killed.
Additionally, Rock shortly explained the currently notorious slap, saying that Smith’s size and the proof that the Oscar-winner formerly played Muhammad Ali made it an unfair fight.
“He’s bigger than me,” Rock stated. “The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
Rock has dodged any questions and discussions regarding the incident, talking about it merely a minute over the course of his now Ego Death tour.
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Rock and Smith Incident
During his presentation at the 2022 Oscars, Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her preparedness to portray a character in G.I. Jane with her bald head.
Pinkett Smith has alopecia and has made it publicly clear that she is sensitive about her hair. In response to the joke, Smith climbed up the stage and slapped Rock, sparking backlash from home audiences and weeks of discussion on what punishment should be imposed.
Since then, Smith has given his apologies for the outburst, referring to it as “unacceptable” and publicly indicating his wish to make amends with Rock.
“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,’” Smith elaborated. “I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
In retaliation for his actions, Smith has been prohibited from attending the Academy Awards for ten years.
Read also: Will Smith Sees his Career ‘Going Away’ Before the Slapping Incident at Oscars
