Chris Rock angrily fires back at Will Smith ‘victim’ apology
The 2022 Oscars awards ceremony will be remembered for that on-stage slap, and the fallout continues months after the incident.
“Everybody is trying to be a fucking victim.”
That was the rather blatant comment from comedian Chris Rock in a recent Ego Death world tour show in Atlanta, as he continues to enjoy huge success in the aftermath of the very public face slap that shocked everyone watching the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony. And although Rock did not make a direct reference to Will Smith, the fact that it followed closely on the back of the former Fresh Prince’s video apology left few with many doubts over its intended target. And there was more...
What did Chris Rock say after Will Smith apology?
“If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims,” Rock said, as reported by People. “Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith. I went to work the next day, I got kids.”
That reference was a play on the name given to Marion ‘Suge’ Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records and the man currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for killing a man.
The audience at the show also heard him repeat a previous comment made about ‘cancel culture’.
“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”
What was Will Smith’s apology?
As we previously reported, Smith had issued a video with various apologies and explanations. The 53-year-old spoke about the ‘confrontation’ reiterating what he said in an earlier published statement, that his behavior was “unacceptable”. In addition, Smith conveyed his apologies once again for what happened and said he is willing to meet with Rock in an attempt to patch things up, and specifically addressed why he didn’t apologize directly to his victim in the acceptance speech that fateful.
“I was fogged out by that point. It is all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that, he’s not ready to talk.
“When he is, he will reach out. I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I am here whenever you are ready to talk. I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I saw an interview [she] did, and that was one of the things I just didn’t realize.”