Chris Rock is not interested in talking with Will Smith
“This is clearly something that bothers Will more than Chris. Will needs to deal with his issues. Chris is fine,” an insider told the media.
Will Smith may have produced an apologetic video for hitting Chris Rock at the Oscars in March, but meeting the comedian in person appears improbable at this time.
Smith issued a nearly six-minute video on Friday in which he expressed “deep remorse” for his behavior and claimed he’d “been doing a lot of thinking and personal work” in recent months. He also stated that he contacted Rock, who apparently stated that he will contact him when he is ready.
“So I’m going to apologize to you, Chris,” Smith stated in the video. “My behavior was inappropriate, and I’m available to speak with you anytime you’re ready.”
That may be a while.
Sources told that Rock has reportedly “moved on” from the televised incident and has no reason to discuss it with Smith. “Chris doesn’t need to talk. This is clearly something that bothers Will more than Chris. Will needs to deal with his issues. Chris is fine.”
But though Rock doesn’t feel compelled to talk to Smith about the slap, he apparently doesn’t mind dishing about it onstage.
During a gig in Atlanta on Friday, Rock informed the audience that “everyone is trying to be a fucking victim,” and he pointed out the flaw in that stance.
“If everyone claims to be a victim, no one will hear the real victims.” “Even Suge Smith got smacked by me,” he said, referring to Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight, who is serving a 28-year sentence for homicide. “I went to work the next day; I have children.”
The Oscar slap took place four months ago at the Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, after Chris made a joke about Will’s wife Jada Pinkett-Smith. The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences banned Smith from future events for the next ten years. In an open letter, the Academy announced, “The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”
The Academy apologized to Rock, the rest of the Academy, and the public for the moment: “We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters, and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.” Smith accepted the ban as he previously resigned from The Academy on April 1, 2022.