Will Smith ‘will never forgive’ Chris Rock, ‘still hates his smug attitude’ three years after Oscars | Hollywood

The infamous Oscars 2022 slap involving Will Smith and Chris Rock continues to make headlines even three years later. According to a report in Weekly InTouchtensions between the two stars have not subsided, with sources close to Smith claiming he “still hates” Rock, especially for his “satisfied attitude” following the incident.

(Also read: Will Smith to star in Keanu Reeves’ The Matrix 5? Actor teases involvement with cryptic posts)

Will Smith ‘still hates’ Chris

A source told the outlet, “Chris Rock is up to his neck in drama and trouble in his life right now as he’s alienating people left and right, leaving his nemesis Will Smith to indulge every second of his misery as he twists the knife to no end. Will gets the last laugh and loves it.” The source further added: “Because of the bad press, Will Smith will never forgive Chris for ruining his life, even though he’s managed to pick up the pieces in the last year or so. But he still hates the guy and his smug attitude.”

What happened between Will Smith and Chris Rock

The feud began during the 94th Academy Awards when Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head in reference to the movie GI Jane. Will Smith, apparently defending his wife, stormed onto the stage and punched Chris. The altercation sparked debates about comedy, boundaries and personal conduct. Many supported Rock and saw the Bad Boys actor’s slap as an overreaction to a joke.

Despite winning the Academy Award that year for his performance in King Richard, Smith was banned from the event for 10 years and resigned from the organization. He later apologized to the Academy in his acceptance speech – but not to Rock. Chris Rock also seems unwilling to let the situation go as he continues to bring up the incident at his live shows.

In an interview with CBS Mornings, Jada Pinkett Smith reflected on the incident, saying, “It’s a really deep subject. I think you have to be very careful about the ‘why’.” She added: “It’s Will’s story to tell. Not mine. So what I will say is that being there with him that night, what I knew was that maybe I hadn’t gone in there as his wife, but I left that night as his wife And as I sit here today I will always be by his side.”

Will Smith was last seen in the 2024 American police action comedy film Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Directed by Adil & Bilall, the film is the fourth installment in the Bad Boys film series and the sequel to Bad Boys for Life (2020). The film also starred Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Jacob Scipio, John Salley and DJ Khaled.