Chris Rock Refuses to File Police Report Over Will Smith Slapping Him During Oscars
Despite being publicly slapped by Will Smith, Chris Rock will not press charges. It is likely to be the focus of a weeks-long discussion following Sunday's Oscars.
That's the latest as of Monday morning, with Oscars fans and casual viewers alike still analyzing the viral moment from the 94th Academy Awards, in which Smith won Best Actor for King Richard.
Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson spoke to ABC, the network behind the Oscars broadcast, regarding what they described as an “incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program.” As stated in the statement, the "individual involved" has decided not to file a police report.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the rep said. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved part desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Complex has reached out to an LAPD rep for additional comment.
In a separate statement released overnight, the Academy reiterated that it “does not condone violence of any form” and referred to the annual celebration of achievement in film as a time for recognizing all those who helped achieve it.
Complex has also approached the Academy for a comment.
It took place following a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, who was a presenter at this year's ceremony. “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” Rock said, prompting a televised eyeroll from Jada, who has been publicly candid about her struggles with alopecia. Smith then made his way onto the stage to slap the comedian.
“Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth!” Smith exclaimed when he returned to his seat, and Rock responded by predicting how this moment will be remembered.
“That was the greatest night in the history of television,” Rock said, as seen below.