Chris Rock Says He Won’t Return to Oscars Unless Nominated

Chris Rock reveals he won't return to the Oscars unless nominated, reflecting on the 2022 slap incident.

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — Comedian Chris Rock has confirmed that he will not return to the Oscars unless he is nominated for an award, following the infamous 2022 incident in which Will Smith slapped him live on stage.

Rock expressed his regret over the situation during an interview with Variety, stating, “I wish nothing would have happened.” He shifted focus to his upcoming film, Misty Green, which features Rosalind Eleazar in a leading role. Rock emphasized the importance of highlighting her performance rather than dwelling on the past.

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The comedian also reflected on the broader issues facing society, saying, “It’s a crazy world. We walk by homeless people. There’s all sorts of s*** going on right now.” He added that his experience at the Oscars was not the most significant issue, and he has no plans to attend unless he receives a nomination. “The only way I’ll go back is if I’m nominated, and I’m not getting nominated,” he said.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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