Chris Rock's new Netflix special Selective Outrage aired live on Saturday, and the comedian finally addressed Will Smith slapping him during last year's Oscars. And if you're wondering if it actually hurt, Rock joked that he still has Smith's tune "Summertime" ringing in his ears.
We doubt you need a refresher, but just in case, during last year's Oscar Awards, Rock—who was presenting the documentary film Oscar—cracked a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith's struggle with Alopecia.
The dig apparently didn't sit well with the King Richard Oscar winner who approached Rock about it on stage where he then infamously slapped Rock.
\u201cChris Rock will FINALLY speak on the infamous Will Smith-Oscars slap in his new Netflix special, \u201cSELECTIVE OUTRAGE\u201d tonight \ud83d\udc40\n\nhttps://t.co/vCzDJUsW0E\u201d— Screen Off Script (@Screen Off Script) 1677945438
Though others have shared their thoughts and reactions on the controversy—including a six-minute apology video from Smith himself—Rock remained tight-lipped.
Until now, that is.
More than an hour into his new special, Rock opened up about the incident, addressing those who continue to ask him if the slap hurt.
"People are like, 'Did it hurt?' Did it hurt?! It still hurts!"
"I got [Smith's song] 'Summertime' ringing in my ears."
Rock continued he is "not a victim," but he "took that hit like [boxer] Manny Pacquiao."
He also commented on the size difference between himself and Smith, calling the Ali star a "big dude," noting Smith's many shirtless roles.
"If you see me in a movie getting open heart surgery, I got on a sweater."
"Will Smith played Muhammad Ali. You think I auditioned for that part?"
"I played Pookie in 'New Jack City.' I played a piece of corn. Even in animated movies this momothercker is bigger."
"I'm a zebra. He's a shark."
You can watch the clip below.
WARNING: NSFW language
\u201cChris Rock finally addressing Will Smith and the Oscars slap during his Netflix special, says he\u2019s not a victim and took the hit like Pacquiao #ChrisRock\u201d— Eric Diep (@Eric Diep) 1677990229
Rock also mentioned he supported Smith after Pinkett Smith revealed she had a relationship with August Alsina in 2020.
"His wife was f*cking her son's friend. I normally wouldn't talk about this sh*t... No one has ever been interviewed by the person who cheated on us on television."
"Why the f*ck would you do that sh*t?"
He continued:
"She hurt him way more than he hurt me. Everybody in the world called him a b*tch. I tried to call the motherf*cker, I tried to call that man and give him my condolences..."
"Everybody called him a b*tch and who's he hit? Me."
You can check out that bit below.
WARNING: NSFW language
\u201cYooo Chris Rock has a point about Will Smith though \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23 #ChrisRock\u201d— UrbanNoizeRmx (@UrbanNoizeRmx) 1677990633
Many viewers of the special supported Rock's decision to finally address the controversy.
Some commended him for opening up on his own time and reminded others that Rock—though he says otherwise in his special—was a victim of assault and Smith only apologized to Rock in a public video.
\u201cNot y\u2019all mad at Chris Rock for laughing at his own trauma? \ud83d\ude02 That man handled the Will Smith situation with so much grace - way better than most people would have. He had every right to speak on it during HIS Netflix segment. #ChrisRockLive\u201d— Just call me , \u201cT\u201d (@Just call me , \u201cT\u201d) 1678059774
\u201c@sandyeezy @E_Diep Chris needs to do what Chris needs to do! Stay in your lane.\u201d— Eric Diep (@Eric Diep) 1677990229
\u201c@sandyeezy @E_Diep He did not apologize to @chrisrock by call or in his face. That apology was a publicity move\u201d— Eric Diep (@Eric Diep) 1677990229
\u201c@sandyeezy @E_Diep Chris waited a whole year to say something and he needs to get over it?\u201d— Eric Diep (@Eric Diep) 1677990229
\u201c@sandyeezy @E_Diep Chris can talk about it whenever he wanted to talk about it. He is the one got hit.\u201d— Eric Diep (@Eric Diep) 1677990229
\u201c@sandyeezy @E_Diep You get slapped and try accepting an online apology from someone.\u201d— Eric Diep (@Eric Diep) 1677990229
\u201c@KEEMSTAR Bro didn't even press charges. He a real one, let him get his get back\u201d— KEEM \ud83c\udf7f (@KEEM \ud83c\udf7f) 1678057891
\u201c@KEEMSTAR That was therapeutic for him.. what a way to heal\u201d— KEEM \ud83c\udf7f (@KEEM \ud83c\udf7f) 1678057891
While no doubt the slap was inappropriate, many noted Rock's joke about Pinkett Smith was also out of line.
\u201c@Reuters Rock\u2019s admission that he told the joke about Jada\u2019s hair to exact revenge for an earlier slight wasn\u2019t a good look.\u201d— Reuters (@Reuters) 1678121718
\u201c@KEEMSTAR While I don\u2019t agree with him being slapped this guy is taking it pretty far. Jokes like this can be funny but this is just filled with hatred and is very uneasy.\u201d— KEEM \ud83c\udf7f (@KEEM \ud83c\udf7f) 1678057891
\u201c@ThePopTingz He literally keeps proving why he got slapped\u201d— Pop Tingz (@Pop Tingz) 1677819527
During the special, Rock also addressed other topics such as the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, politics and even his love life.
Later, Rock joked he was always a fan of Smith's work and rallied for him... until recently.
"I rooted for Will Smith my whole life and now I watch 'Emancipation' just so I could watch him get whooped."
Finally, Rock wrapped it up:
"Anybody who says, 'Words hurt,' has never been punched in the face. Words hurt when you write them on a brick."
Selective Outrage is available for streaming on Netflix.
And while the Oscars air this Sunday, there's no chance of another encounter as Smith has been banned by the Academy at the Oscars and its related events for 10 years.
