No sooner than folks had a chance to process and/or reactions simmered down toWill Smithexpressing remorse through a 5-minute videotaped apology toChris Rock, it seemsthe comedianis offering up more food for thought. Several months since the aftermath of the Oscar slap incident, theKing Richardstar finally broke his silence. In the video clip, Smith offered up an explanation:
“I was fogged out by that point. It’s all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out. So, I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk. I want to apologize to Chris' mother. I saw an interview that Chris' mother did and that was one of the things about that moment I didn’t realize. I wasn’t thinking about how many people got hurt in that moment."
On Friday, Rock performed a show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Although the 57-year-old did not mention the apology specifically, hespoke very briefly about the incidentand left nothing to the imagination especially with regard to the comparison to vengeful rap executive Suge Knight. Rock quipped:
“Everybody is trying to be a f****ng victim. If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims. Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith … I went to work the next day, I got kids.”
RELATED:Will Smith Offers Apology to Chris Rock and His Family
When It Comes to Chris Rock, the Show and Life Must Go On
As Rock sojourns on with hisChris Rock Ego Death World Tour, he has slowly cracked jokes over the past few months, making slight references to the infamous smack. He’s commented about the punch recently in a show at the PNC Banks Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, stating, “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face” and while not reaching Will Smith numbers, Rock is gaining more social media followers. For the most part, Rock’s comedy set seems to be focused on the temperature of America.
The comedian is also making news in the romance department after several sightings of him with 43-year-old actress Lake Bell. After spending their vacation in Croatia, the pair was recently seen strolling arm-in-arm through New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. One source toldPeoplethat Lake joins Chris on tour whenever she can.
