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Chris Rock spoke about Will Smith’s infamous Oscar slap in the face while he recently appeared on stage in New Jersey for his Only Headliners Allowed comedy tour with Kevin Hart.
The comedian admitted the Oscar winner’s hit was “hurt” but insisted he wasn’t a “victim” as he joked with the crowd at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
“Someone who says words hurt has never been slapped in the face,” Rock told the crowd, according to Us Weekly. He later added: “I’m not a victim. Yes, that s— hurt, motherf—uh. But I shook off the s— and went to work the next day. I’m not going to the hospital for a paper cut.”
Chris Rock opened up about the now infamous Will Smith Oscars slap while performing a stand-up routine with Kevin Hart in New Jersey on Sunday. (Getty Images)
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Rock was famously slapped in the face by Smith before presenting an award during the live broadcast of the 94th Academy Awards after telling a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith stormed the stage after Rock joked about Jada’s baldness in a nod to “GI Jane.” Pinkett Smith previously opened up about her struggles with alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.
After the incident, Smith received the Best Actor award for his work in King Richard, after which he apologized for his actions.
Days later, the “Independence Day” star announced his retirement from the Academy in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying he had “betrayed the Academy’s trust.”
“I responded directly to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing and will fully accept any consequences for my conduct,” he said.
Will Smith, right, meets presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for Best Documentary at the Oscars on March 27, 2022 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzallo)
WILL SMITH DISABLED FROM PARTICIPATING IN OSCARS FOR 10 YEARS
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, everyone present and the global audience back home. I have betrayed the academy’s trust.”
Smith added that he “deprived other nominees and winners” of an opportunity to celebrate and said he would accept any further ramifications from the board.
“I deprived other nominees and winners of an opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am devastated. I want to bring the focus back to those who deserve recognition for their accomplishments and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. Therefore, I am resigning my membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any further consequences that the board deems appropriate.
After his resignation, which was accepted by the Academy, Smith was banned from attending Oscar events and shows for 10 years.
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Rock and Hart teamed up for their five-show tour earlier this month and recently presented a special guest at their Madison Square Garden stop when Dave Chappelle opened for the duo.
The 48-year-old comedian joined his friends on stage for what Hart described as “the best moment of my career” as Chappelle was reportedly greeted by thunderous applause and walked out to the Radiohead song “Karma Police.”
“I can’t even explain it…I can’t find the words…I just need to know that last night was the true definition of an ‘EPIC NIGHT,'” Hart confessed on Twitter while snapping a few snaps from the packed performance in Midtown Manhattan shared, where he also reportedly presented Rock with a goat named Will Smith.
“I love my brothers more than words can express. What we did to the garden will never happen again… We made history last night!!!!!!!!”
“I had to sneak in here,” Chappelle told the audience via TMZ, adding, “Despite what you may have read about on the news, I’m fine and appreciate the support.”
FANS SUPPORT DAVE CHAPPELLE AFTER CANCELED MINNESOTA SHOW: ‘SPEAKING’
A week ago, Chappelle was on trial again for booking an appearance on Minneapolis’ famed First Avenue, only for the venue to cancel the show hours before Chappelle took the stage because the public objected to jokes he made in his Netflix special “The Closer.”
Despite hundreds of petitions against the comedian’s performance, Chappelle still hosted a show Tuesday night at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, California.
“Everyone is so sensitive, and I don’t think that… it’s necessary,” one fan told Fox News Digital. “I think there is freedom of speech and if you don’t like what someone is doing, just don’t go.”
Chappelle’s work is an “art form,” said another fan.
“I understand people are offended … I sympathize with them,” one fan noted. “But he’s one of the most talented artists in the comedic game right now.”
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Fox News’ Larry Fink contributed to this report.
Tracy Wright is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to [email protected].