Chris Rock returns to the site of Will Smith’s slap at the Dolby Theater
Comedian Chris Rock joked about the pain of his infamous Oscar as he returned to the same Los Angeles theater where it took place – reminding the crowd of Will Smith’s big-screen role as heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali.
After opening with a few jokes about Dave Chappelle and the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, the « Everybody Hates Chris » creator addressed the Dolby Theater crowd about the blatant slap.
“People were like, ‘Does it hurt?’ You’re right, it hurts,” Rock exclaimed. « Will Smith is a lot taller than me. I’m not the same height, okay? That mother f—- played Ali! I played Pookie from ‘New Jack City!’
The iconic comedian didn’t dwell too much on the slap during his roughly two-hour set, but did reveal why he chose not to retaliate after being slapped by Smith.
Rock was on stage and made a « GI Jane » joke which led to Smith storming onto the stage and slapping him.
As a result of the slap, Smith was banned by the Academy for 10 years.
« People say, ‘Why the hell didn’t you do anything back?’ Because I have parents, » Rock said. « Because I was raised, you know? You know what my parents taught me? Don’t fight in front of white people! a victim !
Rock seemed determined to show that he moved the energy in the room by saying he wasn’t the victim at the time and would never play it out on stage or in his own personal life.
In March, Smith attacked Rock at the 94th Academy Awards after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Last night’s performance was Rock’s first time returning to the Dolby Theater since the slap.
Chris Rock’s set lasted almost 2 hours at the Dolby Theatre.
« Jada, I love you. ‘GI Jane 2’, can’t wait to see it, » Rock said, referencing the 1997 film ‘GI Jane’ in which Demi Moore’s character has a buzz cut .
Jada, 51, who suffers from alopecia areata, a condition that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles leading to hair loss, was not a fan of being the butt of Rock’s joke.
Will Smith came on stage and slapped Rock, and returned to his seat, where he yelled at the host to « keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth ».
Smith will take home the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in « King Richard » that same night. Smith was « slapped » with a 10-year ban by the Academy but was able to keep his Oscar win.
In July, Smith posted a video on his Youtube channel apologizing for his « unacceptable » assault on Rock.
« I’m human and I made a mistake and I try not to think of myself as a piece of shit. »
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