Chris Rock may not be returning to the Oscars in the near future. The comedian has hinted at how Will Smith’s slap has possibly left him traumatized as he explained why he refused an offer to host next year’s award ceremony.
During his stand-up comedy show in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday night, August 28, the 57-year-old addressed the slap again. According to The Arizona Republic, the “Saturday Night Live” alum said he had been asked to host the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony, but he turned down the offer, comparing returning to the event to returning to a crime scene.
Chris allegedly referenced the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, who was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson but later acquitted. During the trial, it was argued that her murder began by Nicole leaving a pair of glasses at an Italian restaurant. Chris said returning to the award ceremony would be like asking Nicole “to go back to the restaurant.”
Chris also said he received an offer to do a Super Bowl commercial following the incident, but he “profanely” refused as well.
While Chris has not formally addressed the slap, he didn’t shy away from the topic during his tour. When he mentioned how a person could get famous for being a victim, someone in the sold-out concert asked Chris to “talk about it.”
Responding to the inquiry, the “Grown Ups” star admitted the blow from Will hurt. “He’s bigger than me,” he allegedly quipped. “The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
Will recently apologized again for slapping Chris at the March ceremony after the latter joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. In a video, the 53-year-old said he was “deeply remorseful” and claimed, “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out. So I will say to you, Chris, ‘I apologize to you.’ My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you are ready to talk.”
The “King Richard” star also apologized to Chris’ mother and entire family, saying, “I just didn’t realize how many people got hurt in that moment, so I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I want to apologize.”
Chris has not responded to Will’s public apology.
