Chris Rock shot down the offer to host the Oscars again after getting slapped by Will Smith.
During his Aug. 28 show in Phoenix, the comedian said that he was asked to host the 2023 ceremony but that he declined the offer, according to local outlet The Arizona Republic.
Chris Rock Reveals Offer To Host 2023 Oscars After Will Smith Slap
Chris compared going back to the Academy Awards after the slapping incident to returning to the scene of a crime.
He also referenced the O.J. Simpson trial and compared being asked to host the Oscars to asking Nicole Brown Simpson “to go back to the restaurant” where her mother left a pair of glasses the night of Nicole’s death.
That being said, this was not the only gig Chris said he was offered. He also told attendees of his Ego Death World Tour that he was asked to do a Super Bowl commercial. And while he didn’t reveal which brand reached out to him, he reportedly added that he turned down this opportunity as well.
In March, Will slapped Chris onstage at the Oscars after the comic made a joke about the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head while presenting an award (the actress has publicly spoken about her alopecia diagnosis before).
Chris said the slap hurt and referred to Will’s portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the 2001 movie Ali per the outlet.
“He’s bigger than me,” Chris reportedly said. “The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
Aside from briefly mentioning the slap in his stand-up shows, Chris has said little publicly about the hit, which happened live during the Oscars telecast. As for Will, he apologized to the Academy and to his fellow nominees during his acceptance speech after picking up the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in King Richard. He then apologized to Chris the next day in an Instagram post.
In a July Instagram video in which Will addressed fans’ questions about the incident, revealing how he did not apologize to Chris in his speech because he was “fogged out by that point.” However, he reiterated he was sorry for what he did.
“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,” Will, who has resigned from the Academy and has been banned from its events for the next 10 years, said.
“So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable. And I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”
RELATED: Source Reveals How Chris Rock Really Feels About Will Smith’s Newest Video
Will also noted “there is no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults,” adding that his wife “had nothing to do” with his decision to confront Chris onstage.
“I promise you,” he told his fans, “I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world.”
In a June episode of Red Table Talk, Jada shared how she hopes Will and Chris can work things out.
“My deepest hope is that these two intelligent capable men have an opportunity to heal, talk this out, and reconcile,” she said. “With the state of the world today, we need them both—and we all actually need one another more than ever. Until then, Will and I are continuing to do what we have done for the last 28 years, and that’s keep figuring out this thing called life together.”
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.