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Topline
Chris Rock on Wednesday told the audience at his sold out stand-up show in Boston that he was still “kind of processing” what happened at Sunday’s Oscars ceremony, where the comedian was slapped by Will Smith on stage after he cracked a joke about the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Chris Rock during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Key Facts
Rock made his first public appearance since the slap, where he received a “rock star’s welcome” including a standing ovation that lasted for nearly two minutes, Variety reported.
In an audio excerpt from the event published by Variety, the 57-year-old comic can be heard asking the audience “How was your weekend?” which immediately drew laughter.
The comic then noted that he was still processing what happened but said he will talk about it at some point and promised it will be “serious and funny.”
An audience member was heard shouting “F*ck Will Smith!” but Rock reportedly ignored it and continued with his set.
Crucial Quote
“I don’t have a bunch of sh*t about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend. I’m still kind of processing what happened. So, at some point I’ll talk about that sh*t. And it will be serious and funny,” Rock said at the start of his set.
Section Title
While presenting an award at Sunday’s Oscar ceremony, Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut, quipping that she looked ready for a role in “G.I. Jane 2.” Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia—a disorder that causes hair loss and baldness—appeared at the ceremony with a shaved head. Immediately after the joke, Smith walked up to Rock on the stage and slapped him in the face. Audio of the altercation was censored on the U.S. broadcast, but international broadcasts picked up Rock saying Smith “smacked the s**t” of of him,” adding that it was just a “G.I. Jane joke.” Smith then angrily retorted “keep my wife’s name out your f**king mouth.” Since then the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the actor and disclosed that Smith refused to leave the event after being prompted to do so by the organizers after the altercation on stage. Smith may now face suspension, expulsion or some other form of sanction from the Academy for violating its code of conduct.
Further Reading
Source: Forbes
