Chris Rock Reflects On Infamous Oscars Slap Four Years After Will Smith Hit Him: Me Having A Bad Day Is Not That Important’

Chris Rock Reflects On Infamous Oscars Slap Four Years After Will Smith Hit Him: Me Having A Bad Day Is Not That Important’

#ChrisRock is opening up about his drama with #WillSmith ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of “Misty Green,” his first film as director in 12 years, set to hit theaters via A24 in October.
In a new Variety profile, Rock discussed the project — which stars Rosalind Eleazar, alongside Anna Kendrick, Adam Driver and #DanielKaluuya — as well as his complicated relationship with the Oscars stage. Rock made clear he’s not holding his breath for another Academy Awards return, four years after Will Smith slapped him onstage in 2022. When asked how he feels about a comeback, he said the only scenario that gets him back is a nomination, and he doesn’t expect one. As for the slap itself, Rock reflected candidly: “I wish nothing would have happened. And also, I don’t want to say anything that takes any attention away from Rosalind and how good she is in this movie. It’s a crazy world. We walk by homeless people. There’s all sorts of sh*t going on right now. Me having a bad day is not the biggest — it’s not that important.”

ICYMI: The March 2022 incident happened after Rock made a controversial joke referencing Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head — a nod to her alopecia — during the live telecast. Smith, who wasn’t feeling the joke, walked onstage and slapped Rock across the face. Roughly thirty minutes later, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for “King Richard” and gave a tearful acceptance speech. The fallout was swift: Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences days later, saying he would “accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.” The Academy’s Board of Governors then voted to ban Smith from all Academy events, including the #Oscars, for 10 years. Smith responded to the ban by saying he accepted and respected the Academy’s decision.