Chris Rock tells sold out show he is still processing Will Smith slap at the Oscars
BOSTON (Reuters) – Comedian Chris Rock, in his first public comments since he was slapped in the face by Will Smith at the Oscars, said he is “still processing” the incident that made headlines around the world.
Rock performed a stand-up show in Boston on Wednesday (March 30) to a sold-out crowd, joking “how was your weekend?” before saying he did not plan to address the incident at length.
“I’m still processing what happened, so at some point I’ll talk about that shit,” Rock told the crowd.
“It’ll be serious. It’ll be funny, but right now I’m going to tell some jokes.”
At Sunday’s Academy Awards, Rock was on stage to present the trophy for best documentary. He made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, that referenced the 1997 film G.I. Jane in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head.
It was unclear whether Rock was aware that Pinkett Smith has a condition that causes hair loss.
Will Smith strode onto the stage and slapped Rock before winning best actor less than an hour later.
The actor apologized to Rock and the academy in a statement on Monday.
Rock's brother Tony has defended the comedian, saying he doesn't approve of Smith's public apology, and noting that Chris was "fine" after the incident.
Tony Rock, 47, told Twitter followers on Tuesday that he was waiting for Smith to speak directly to his brother and family, after a fan referred to the two stars' relationship over the years.
Tony — who didn't attend the Oscars — also denied claims that his brother and Smith have put the fiasco behind them, following reports that rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs got them to reconcile.
A friend of Diddy clarified that the music mogul had spoken to Chris and Smith separately after the incident, People magazine reported.
"He went up to them both privately to have a few words," the source was quoted as saying. "Chris was in shock and Diddy tried to give him encouraging words, and then he went over to Will at his seat."
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