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The Real Reason Chris Rock Didn't Slap Will Smith Back

The Real Reason Chris Rock Didn't Slap Will Smith Back
Image credit: Legion-Media

Happy Almost Slappiversary to all!

It has been almost a year since the 94th Academy Awards when we all watched the drama between comedian Chris Rock and actor Will Smith unfold.

It was live television to live for and to die for! Feels like it was just yesterday though, right?

In case your memory fails you, the famous actor slapped Rock after the comedian made an insensitive joke about Smith's wife – in particular, about Jada shaving her head due to her alopecia areata diagnosis.

From Will's point of view, that was too bold of a move (too soon?).

In his new Netflix standup special Selective Outrage (kudos for the name, by the way), Chris Rock finally discusses The Slap (as it is now commonly referred to) incident in detail.

At the end of the show, he starts off by saying that one of the reasons he did not smack Smith back is that the latter is "significantly bigger" than him. Well, at least you are being honest about it, Chris!

The comedian goes on to say that, in his opinion, he actually had nothing to do with the actor's outburst, and then it gets really dark.

Rock pokes fun at Jada Pinkett Smith's scandalous fling with rapper August Alsina while she was married to Will.

He also mentions that he has loved Will's movies for years but that he now watches "Emancipation just to see him get whooped." We are not judging!

Closer to the end, Chris talks about another reason why he did not do anything that night, citing his parents as the reason for his calm demeanor afterward. He speaks about how they raised him and taught him not to "fight in front of white people."

The Slap will probably live on in people's collective memory as one of the most controversial, yet unforgettable moments in the Oscars ' history.

We can only hope that Smith and Rock will eventually make amends. Maybe even at next year's Academy Awards? One can certainly dream!