Chris Rock declines invitation to host Oscars in 2023 following on-stage smack from Will Smith
Actor Will Smith punched comedian and actor Chris Rock on stage during the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, sparking a scandal. Chris reportedly declined the Academy’s offer to host the 2023 Oscars because he doesn’t want to go back to that night.
According to the Arizona Republic, Chris compared presenting the Oscars to going back to the scene of a crime during a comedy gig on Sunday at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. He compared the hosting offer to asking the late Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant” where her mother had left a pair of glasses the night of her death, making reference to the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial.
Chris Rock declines invitation to host Oscars in 2023 following on-stage smack from Will Smith
Chris stated about Will, “He is bigger than me. Nevadan officials would not permit a fight between Will Smith and me. After the slapping incident, the comedian had previously declined a Super Bowl advertisement.
Chris had begun his 2022 Oscar performance by making fun of Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hairdo. Will took exception to the joke and walked up to the stage to smack Chris, although Chris was not aware of the physical condition that had caused it. Following that, Will apologized twice and was given a 10-year Oscars attendance ban.
Will asked, “Why didn’t you apologize to Chris Rock in the acceptance speech?” in the apology video. Smith responded by stating that he tried to call Rock but that he wasn’t “ready to talk.” The Men in Black actor continued, “I’d like to apologize to you, Chris. I’m available to speak with you anytime you’re ready because my behavior was inappropriate.
Chris Rock reveals in Phoenix that he was asked to host the Oscars but he refused… likening it to returning to the scene of the crime after Will Smith slap
via https://t.co/Yansv4EDot #ChrisRock #Oscars https://t.co/VjXtG6hGvL— Svetlana Loves Reality TV (@LoveReality9) August 30, 2022
