It’s been months since the Will Smith fiasco, but fans are still in disbelief about what happened when the actor slapped Chris Rock onstage live at the Academy Awards. The incident took place after the comedian host made a GI Jane joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s buzz cut – which was a result of the actress’ long battle with hair loss due to Alopecia.While the Will Smith slap incident could be a good thing for the Oscars as it spiked viewership, the controversy has largely eschewed public discussion over who is in the wrong. It has all been sparking a debate among fans, and there has been an influx of memes and comments about it. As it continues to become the talk of the town, Chris Rock recently revealed that he has no desire to return to the Academy Awards just yet.
Chris Rock Doesn’t Want To Return To The Oscars Stage
The comedian-actor said during the Phoenix, Arizona stop in his sold-out stand-up tour that the Academy approached him and offered another hosting gig for the Academy Awards 2023, but he refused to accept the deal.
He also said that he was also recommended to star in a Super Bowl commercial, which he turned down as well.
Apparently, Rock compared returning to the Oscars to going back to the scene of the crime.
He explained his decision to not host the ceremony by referencing the murder of O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife, joking that it would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant” where she ate her last meal before being stabbed to death.
He also briefly expounded on the now infamous slap, saying that Smith’s larger stature and the fact that the Best Actor winner previously played Muhammad Ali made it an unfair fight.
He said, “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
Thankfully, Smith issued an apology to Rock and the Academy on his social media handle after receiving backlash for his disorderly behavior.
Rumor has it that he was also pushed by his wife, Jada, to publicly apologize even though he allegedly didn’t want to.
Will Smith Apologized To Chris Rock After The Slap Incident
Smith has since apologized for his demeanor during the Oscars, calling it “unacceptable” and expressing his desire to make up with Rock.
He explained, “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.’ I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
However, an insider of Us Weekly revealed that Smith never really wanted to apologize publicly but had to give in because of his wife, Jada.
It was said that Jada was the one who convinced him to make amends to Chris. Whether it was true or not, thankfully, the actor apologized for what he’s done.
The incident was definitely a huge scandal. For his actions, Smith has been banned from attending the Academy Awards for the next ten years.
But for Rock, it appears that he’s not interested anymore in going back to the crime scene. In fact, he reportedly did not accept the apology from Smith.
Chris Rock Doesn’t Accept Will Smith's Apology
As Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle continued their European stand-up tour, the comedian-actor took the stage and shared a small portion of his lengthy set to talking about the apology video of Will Smith.
According to Deadline, Rock wasted no time responding to the apology video with a very direct “f*** your hostage video!”
He went on to say. “Yes that sh** hurt. He played Ali. I can’t even play Floyd Mayweather,” marking the first time he directly addressed the public apology video.
Chappelle also asked Rock, “Did that sh**t hurt?” Rock replied, “God**** right…the motherf***** hit me over a bullsh** joke – the nicest joke I ever told.”
Later, Chappelle said that although he is unsure of how he would have reacted if Smith had slapped him onstage at the Oscars, the actor is certain that he would not have "enjoyed the rest of his night" at the ceremony.
He added that Smith is someone who was an “impression of a perfect man for 30 years,” but then commented, “I just hope he doesn’t put that mask back on.”
For now, it’s unclear whether Will Smith and Chris Rock will ever have the time to talk and make amends, but it’s pretty clear that things between them will never be the same again.