After the controversial 2022 Academy Awards on March 27, Comedian Chris Rock has never spread any words after what happened between him and Will Smith at the Oscars.
Now, during a show in Boston at the Wilbur Theater, Rock has finally addressed the incident and asked the audience, “How was your weekend?”
He told the crowd in Fantasy Springs, “I’m OK, I have a whole show and I’m not talking about [the Will Smith incident] until I get paid.”
“Life is good,” the comedian continued. “I got my hearing back.”
Rock kept quiet ever since the Oscar, however; the rest of the world can’t stop talking about it even weeks later.
Fans were also shocked to know that Smith was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 whole years. Meanwhile, lots of people are demanding the “King Richard” star return the trophy he won that night.
The Daily Wire reported a letter written by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Dawn Hudson and President David Rubin:
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” an “Open Letter to Our Academy Family”
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room,” the letter continued. “For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented.”
“Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation,” it said.
“The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”
The controversy started after Smith stormed the stage after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her bald head. His family defended him and said that Rock wasn’t aware of Jada’s medical condition alopecia, which causes hair loss, otherwise he never would have made the joke.
Rock jokes about her during the awards night, “Jada, I love ya. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you.”
Smith laughed at first together with the audience but, video footage shows him reacting to Jada’s apparent anger and running to Rock and slapping him.
Rock said “Oh wow, wow. Will Smith just smacked the s*** outta me,”
Smith kept repeating, “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!”
“Wow, dude,” Rock replied. “It was a G.I. Jane joke.”
After the Oscars, Smith later apologized to Rock and fans for his actions.
Source: Daily Wire