Comedian Chris Rock reportedly dropped new material on his latest comedy tour with a not-so-subtle reference to what happened at the 2022 Oscars when Will Smith walked on stage and slapped him in the face.
It reportedly happened Saturday night at his show in New York at Madison Square Garden during the 57-year-old comedian’s “Only Headliners Allowed” tour with Kevin Hart and a surprise appearance by Dave Chappelle, Entertainment Tonight reported.
The “Grown Ups” star reportedly made the comment while talking about “cancel culture” in a reference about how “words hurt.”
“Chris made a joke about Will during a bit about ‘cancel culture,’ joking that ‘anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,’” the source told the outlet.
The “Death at a Funeral” star also reportedly made the same comment the following day during his set at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, US Weekly noted. He also reportedly referenced that he’s no victim.
“I’m not a victim, motherf***er,” Rock shared, per an eyewitness.
“Yeah, that s*** hurt, motherf***er,” he added. “But I shook that s*** off and went to work the next day … I don’t go to the hospital for a papercut.”
Last night was by far the best moment of my career…I can’t even explain it…I can’t find the words…Just know that last night was the true definition of a “EPIC NIGHT”…I love my brothers more than words can explain. We made history last night!!!#RockHartChappelle pic.twitter.com/x1XtRXZQCO
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) July 24, 2022
During Saturday’s show, Hart reportedly brought out on the stage a goat named Will Smith that he said he bought for Rock, XXL magazine reported.
“The name is Will Smith,” Hart shared, passing the goat to Chris. “What?” the comedian responded, as the audience laughed.
During the 94th Academy Awards show, Smith slapped Rock in the face after the comedian cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head amid her hair loss battle, as The Daily Wire previously reported.
Smith was not removed from the building, and a short time later, he took the stage to accept his first Oscar ever — Best Actor for his role in the film “King Richard.” The “Men in Black” star later apologized after the Oscars incident, calling it “out of line” and “wrong.”
Later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a 10-year ban preventing the actor from attending the annual awards show.