Jordan Karlesson
Will Smith publicly apologized to Chris Rock last week for “the slap heard around the world.” But Rock isn’t about to accept it just yet, especially if he’s portrayed as a “victim.”
Videos by Rare
Chris Rock on Friday night joked about the slap at his standup show at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, according to People. However, he reportedly didn’t acknowledge Smith’s apology.
“Everybody is trying to be a f—ing victim,” Rock reportedly said. “If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims.”
He also quipped: “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”
Is Chris Rock Unfazed By Will Smith’s Video Apology?
Will Smith, who shockingly hit Rock onstage during March’s Academy Awards ceremony, posted a videotaped apology Friday on Instagram. He said he knows that just saying sorry “is not enough.”
In the apology, one of Hollywood’s elite actors acknowledged his yet-unfulfilled efforts to reconcile with Rock. Will Smith also said he still doesn’t know why he walked onstage and hit Rock before he presented an Oscar.
Smith looks into the camera and professes: “So, I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk. I want to apologize to Chris’ mother [and family].”
Smith admits that his mistake “is probably irreparable.”
“I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the nuances and the complexities of what happened in that moment,” he says. “And I’m not going to try to unpack all of that right now. But I can say to all of you that there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment … to handle a feeling of disrespect and insults.”
Rock, who was serving as host of the awards show, cracked an innocuous one-liner about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. That sent Smith into a profanity-laced tirade and prompted him to walk onto the stage and slap Rock in the face during the live TV broadcast.
Despite the slap, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams, in King Richard.
Friday’s video was at least the second time Smith publicly apologized to Rock. Roughly two months ago, he did so via social media.
