It was a night of infamy for Will Smith despite winning an Oscar and the victim, Chris Rock, finally speaks on the incident.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Rock made reference to the slap during a gig in Charleston.
“The thing people want to know . . . did it hurt? Hell yeah, it hurt,” he said, adding, “He played Muhammad Ali! I played Pookie!” in reference to Smith’s role in “Ali” and his own in “New Jack City”.
The Sun also reported that Rock continued, “Even in animated movies, I’m a zebra, he’s a f**king shark.”
Referencing one of Smith’s rap songs, Rock joked, “I got hit so hard I heard ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears.”
Since the incident last year, in which Smith got onstage and slapped the Oscars host live during the broadcast over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Rock has remained mostly silent about it.
In July, Smith offered a public apology, including to Rock, for his actions.
“I made a choice on my own from my own experiences, from my history with Chris,” he said. “I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I’ve brought on all of us. 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 behaviour was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
MORE ABOUT CHRIS ROCK
Chris Rock is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
Rock began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s and gained national recognition in the 1990s, with his appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and his own HBO comedy specials. His comedy style is often described as confrontational and satirical, and he has tackled a wide range of social and political issues in his work, including race, relationships, and politics.
MOVIES AND TELEVISION
In addition to his successful stand-up career, Rock has also acted in numerous films and television shows. He has appeared in movies like “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Head of State,” and the “Grown Ups” series. He has also lent his voice to several animated films, including the “Madagascar” series.
Rock has won several awards for his work, including four Emmy Awards for his television specials and a Grammy Award for his comedy album “Bigger and Blacker.” He has also been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Overall, Chris Rock is considered one of the most influential and successful comedians of his generation, known for his sharp wit and biting commentary on contemporary society.
