Chris Rock Reflects on 2022 Oscars Slap: ‘I Wish Nothing Would Have Happened’
Chris Rock admits he wishes the 2022 Oscars slap never occurred, as he discusses the incident and his new film in a fresh interview.
POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — Comedian Chris Rock has expressed regret over the 2022 Oscars incident in which Will Smith slapped him live on stage, stating that he wishes the event had never taken place.
In an interview with Variety, Rock said, “I wish nothing would have happened.” He was responding to questions about the moment when Smith struck him during the ceremony, which became one of the most talked-about moments in recent entertainment history.
Rock also discussed his upcoming film, Misty Green, in which actor Rosalind Eleazar plays a performer facing a physical conflict with a co-star. He emphasized that he didn’t want to detract from her performance, while also acknowledging the broader issues in the world that overshadow personal incidents.
📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES
Since the event, Rock has not returned to the Oscars, and he told the outlet that he has no plans to attend unless he is nominated. “The only way I’ll go back is if I’m nominated, and I’m not getting nominated,” he said.
The incident occurred when Rock was announcing the Best Documentary Feature nominees and made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, referencing the 1997 film GI Jane. The comment reportedly upset Pinkett Smith, leading to Smith walking onstage and slapping Rock before returning to his seat.
Smith later won the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard, but the incident led to his 10-year ban from Academy events and prompted new safety protocols for the 2023 ceremony. Rock admitted he hadn’t considered the parallels between the film’s storyline and the real-life event until the journalist pointed it out.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
