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Chris Rock joked about the Academy Awards Ceremony drama just hours after Will Smith issued an on-camera apology to the comedian on Friday, nearly four months after Smith stormed the Oscars stage and slapped Rock on live air while presenting an award at the 2022 ceremony. .
While performing at the Fox Theater in Atlanta as part of his “Ego Death World Tour,” Rock compared Smith to former Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight, who is currently serving a 28 years in prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018 following a fatal confrontation in Los Angeles in 2015.
“Everyone is trying to be a fucking victim,” Rock said, via People magazine. “If everyone claims to be a victim, then no one will listen to the real victims. Even when Suge Smith beat me up…I went to work the next day, I have kids.”
WILL SMITH OPENS UP ON CHRIS ROCK OSCARS SLAP
During the height of his career in the ’90s, Knight was known for putting West Coast rap on the map with the massive success of Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” followed by Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle” in 1993. Little later, he helped broker a deal to secure Tupac Shakur’s release from prison and subsequent signing to the label, with his “All Eyez on Me” released in 1996.
“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” he added, repeating words on a previous show during a recent tour with kevin hart in “Only Headliners Allowed”.
Chris Rock joked that “Suge Smith” slapped him at the Oscars following Will Smith’s on-camera apology broadcast on Friday.
(False images)
Knight was known for his music as much as his temper, and was allegedly the ringleader in a series of violent deals. Shakur was in Knight’s car when he was killed in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas in September 1996. A similar drive-by shooting killed Shakur’s East Coast rival The Notorious BIG in March 1997, and it was assumed that Knight was the prime suspect. Knight had felony convictions for armed robbery and assault, and lost control of the label when he was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2009.
“I’m not a victim. Yeah, that hurt, motherfucker. But, I shook off that s— and went to work the next day. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut,” Rock told the crowd in New Jersey last week, via Us Weekly.
Smith shared a video on YouTube answering everyone’s most frequently asked questions, including why he didn’t apologize to Rock during his acceptance speech. After Smith came onstage and slapped Rock for telling a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, he won Best Actor for his role in “King Richard.”
“I was confused at the time,” Smith admitted of the lack of an immediate apology to Rock. “It’s all blurry.”
The late Tupac Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight were photographed in 1996. Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018.
(Jeff Kravitz)
CHRIS ROCK SMITH ADDRESSES OSCARS SLAP DURING COMEDY TOUR WITH KEVIN HART: ‘I’M NOT A VICTIM’
The “Gemini Man” actor revealed that he reached out to Rock to discuss the incident, but claimed that the comedian isn’t ready to sit down with him. She also spent the 5 minute long video apologizing to Rock and others, including Rose Rock.
“I want to apologize to Chris’s mom,” Smith said. “I saw an interview that Chris’s mom did and, you know, that was one of the things at the time. I just didn’t realize it and, you know, I wasn’t thinking, but how many people were hurt at that time?” explained the actor.
Rose initially said the following the slap: “When Will slapped Chris, he slapped us all, but he really slapped me.”
“So I want to apologize to Chris’s mom,” Smith continued. “I want to apologize to Chris’s family. Specifically, Tony Rock [Chris’ younger brother]. You know, we had a great relationship. Tony Rock was my man. And this is probably irreparable.”
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Will Smith punches Chris Rock onstage as he presents the award for best documentary film at the Oscars on March 27, 2022 in Los Angeles.
(Chris Pizzallo)
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Rock had made a joke about “GI Jane” and referred to Jada’s bald head. Pinkett Smith had previously discussed her struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes her hair to fall out.
days later, the Star of “Independence Day” announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, saying he had “betrayed the trust of the Academy.”
“I have responded directly to the academy’s disciplinary hearing notice and will accept any and all consequences of my conduct,” he said.
Following his resignation, which was accepted by the Academy, Smith was banned from attending Oscar events and shows for 10 years.
Fox News’ Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.