‘Still kind of processing what happened.’ Chris Rock reacts to Will Smith Oscars slap
Chris Rock commented for the first time Wednesday since the slap seen around the world.
The veteran comedian performed at The Wilbur Theatre in Boston and walked out to a three-minute standing ovation, according to reports.
Rock opened the show, which had long been scheduled as part of his current standup tour, by addressing the incident during Sunday night’s Oscars telecast in which actor Will Smith smacked him on stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
“How was your weekend?” Rock said to the audience, before making it clear that he wasn’t about to do an hour set of slap-related material.
“I don’t have a bunch [stuff] about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend,” he said. “I’m still kind of processing what happened. So, at some point I’ll talk about that [stuff]. And it will be serious and funny.”
According to Variety, which obtained audio of the opening of the show, an audience member yelled “F*** Will Smith!” but Rock didn’t bite.
“I’m going to tell some jokes,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Academy said it asked Smith to leave after the incident, which came with about 45 minutes left in the telecast. The Academy said it is investigating the incident to determine whether to penalize Smith’s standing in the group.
Smith, who won the best actor Oscar just moments after the incident, originally apologized to the Academy and fellow nominees during a tearful acceptance speech, but did not apologize to Rock. The next day, he apologized to Rock, along with the Academy and viewers worldwide.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Smith posted on Instagram. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.”
Fellow comedians, including Jim Carrey and Oscars co-host Wanda Sykes, condemned Smith’s behavior and aimed a pointed finger at Hollywood for giving Smith a standing ovation moments after assaulting Rock.
Carrey called the ovation “spineless,” and Sykes called it “sickening” that Smith was able to remain in attendance after the slap.
This story was originally published March 30, 2022 at 10:26 PM.
