Will Smith ‘still hates’ Chris Rock and will ‘never forgive him for ruining his life’ after Oscars slap incident
Will Smith continues to harbor resentment towards Chris Rock following their notorious altercation at the 2022 Academy Awards.
The celebrated star of Men in Black made global headlines when he abruptly walked onto the Oscars stage and struck Chris Rock across the face. This explosive reaction came after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s struggle with alopecia.
Although Smith received an Academy Award for his performance in King Richard that very evening, the scandal had a catastrophic impact on his career.
Just days after the incident, the Academy imposed a decade-long ban, preventing him from attending any of its functions, including the prestigious Oscars ceremony. Additionally, multiple film and television projects he was attached to were put on hold as he endured a storm of public criticism.
Though Smith has been making efforts to revive his professional life, an insider revealed to OK! Magazine that he still cannot let go of his anger. “Will will never move past what Chris did. He blames him for derailing his life, even though he’s managed to rebuild some of what he lost over the last year or so.”
The source further stated, “He despises Chris and his arrogant demeanor.”
Meanwhile, Rock has repeatedly referenced the infamous slap in various interviews and stand-up performances over the past three years.
Furthermore, he outright rejected Smith’s public apology, which the Independence Day actor delivered via a video not long after the Oscars.
A source explained, “Chris is still emotionally scarred by what happened that night. He struggles with PTSD from the incident. Much like Will, he hasn’t fully moved on from being humiliated on stage.”
However, Smith reportedly doesn’t see Rock as a victim in this situation.
“Many people actually side with Will and believe that Chris is experiencing his own form of retribution for refusing to have a conversation with Will or accept his apology.”
As per OK! Magazine, an incident last December further fueled controversy when Chris Rock allegedly stormed out of billionaire Anthony Pratt’s holiday gathering after a brief stand-up routine.
A guest at the event claimed that Rock was in the middle of his set when something in the crowd visibly agitated him.
According to the attendee, “Whatever he noticed—or thought he noticed—seemed to upset him deeply.”
“He suddenly snapped, yelling that he wasn’t supposed to be recorded, filmed, or documented in any way.”
“He was visibly furious and, without any hesitation, stormed out of the venue, never making his way back.”
The fallout from the 2022 Oscars continues to cast a long shadow over both men, with neither willing to fully move on from that pivotal moment.
