Chris Rock Speaks Out About Will Smith Oscars Smack for First Time: ‘I’m Still Processing What Happened’
Chris Rock is breaking his silence about the Oscars incident when Will Smith struck him onstage after the presenter made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The 57-year-old comedian had a show at The Wilbur in Boston Wednesday night, where he addressed the ordeal, telling the audience, “I’m still processing what happened.”
A very rowdy crowd screamed Rock’s name before his first appearance since the 94th Academy Awards, according to an audience member. The comedian then took the stage dressed in all white and received a standing ovation.
“What’s up, Boston?” he asked the crowd, before adding: “How was your weekend?!”
After Rock said that he was still “processing” what happened at this year’s Oscars, he told fans in the audience that he would probably talk about what happened at some point in a serious manner, according to the audience member, but that he had written a whole show full of jokes for Wednesday evening.
Prior to the show, the line of hundreds waiting to see Rock wrapped around the block, and the last few ticket holders didn’t get into The Wilbur until after 8 p.m. (the show was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.).
Though there were some in the crowd yelling “Will Smith” during the show, the audience member says Rock did not acknowledge the shouts and never mentioned the Best Actor Oscar winner by name once throughout his set.
“Except for a couple weird things, life is pretty good right now,” Rock said later in his standup routine.
Following Sunday night’s altercation, ticket sales for Rock’s upcoming tour dates saw a spike in popularity, according to secondary ticket seller TickPick.
Chris Rock sported a navy baseball cap and black winter jacket as he arrived at The Wilbur. About 20 onlookers called out to the performer, but he did not acknowledge them.
