Chris Rock made a bold statement at the Oscars about Jada Pinkett Smith during a new comedy special.
On Saturday March 4, the comedian historically played a live set for Netflix, titled Selective outrageduring which he roasted Will Smith for slapping him at the Oscars in March 2022.
However, he also used the set to make a claim about Smith’s wife, Pinkett Smith. According to Rock, the girl trip The actor tried to force him to stop hosting the Oscars in 2016 because her husband was not nominated for Best Actor.
That year, Smith was tipped for a potential drama nod Concussionbut he ultimately failed to make the list of nominees.
“Years ago his wife said I should quit the Oscars. I shouldn’t host because her man wasn’t nominated for Concussion. And then he gives me a fucking concussion,” Rock joked.
He added that Pinkett Smith told him he “should resign because Will wasn’t nominated.”
Rock ignored Pinkett Smith’s pleas, and during the presentation of the ceremony that year, he made a joke at the expense of Pinkett Smith, who resurfaced after the Oscars slap.
Now Rock claims he made the joke in response to Pinkett Smith’s request.
“It’s like this – she starts it, I finish it, okay?” That’s what happened. Nobody takes it out on her. She started this shit.”
In 2016, Pinkett Smith, alongside many Hollywood stars, boycotted the 2016 ceremony due to the lack of diversity among that year’s nominations. This lack of diversity prompted the #OscarsSoWhite campaign.
The Independent has reached out to Pinkett Smith for comment.
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Chris Rock performed a historic live Netflix stand-up special
(Netflix)
Rock added in the special, “I’ve been rooting for Will Smith my whole life. And now I look Emancipation just to see him get whipped.
Emancipation is the 2021 slavery drama directed by Antonie Fuqua, in which Smith plays a man who must survive in the Louisiana swamps while being chased by slave hunters and their hounds.
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Elsewhere during The Rock’s stand-up special, the comedian blasted Meghan Markle’s claims that she experienced “racism” during her time at Buckingham Palace.
He also directly addressed Smith’s slap, saying he “took that hit” like former pro boxer Manny Paquiao.
Fans noticed, however, that Rock made a glaring mistake about Smith when he roasted the actor.
In 2022, Smith took to the Oscars stage to punch Rock after the comedy star cracked a joke about Pinkett Smith.
Later in the ceremony, Smith was nominated for best actor for his role in King Richardand gave a tearful speech.
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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
(Getty Images)
He was then banned as a member of the Academy for 10 years and will not be allowed to attend the 2023 ceremony.
Tradition would have it that Smith, as the reigning Best Actor winner, would have been asked to present Best Actress. It is unclear who will hand the trophy over.
This year’s Oscars ceremony will take place on March 12.