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Chris Rock recently attended the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscars Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
He hosted the event in 2005 and 2016. (Photo Credits: YouTube)
Chris Rock is keeping an open mind when it comes to returning as the host of Hollywood’s biggest night. “You never know,” the 60-year-old comedian said when asked at an Oscars after-party if he’d consider emceeing the prestigious event once again. Having previously hosted in 2005 and 2016, Rock remains a seasoned pro when it comes to the Academy Awards stage. Of course, no conversation about Rock and the Oscars is complete without revisiting that unforgettable moment from three years ago— when Will Smith slapped him live onstage over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
Addressing the topic with a philosophical stance, Rock shared with E! News, “This is what I would say: the most miserable people on earth are people that can’t forgive. So you never know.”
He went on to say, “And not just people—you have to forgive yourself sometimes. So, hey, you never know.”
Rock attended the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscars Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, joined by his youngest daughter, Zahra. The Grown Ups star, who shares daughters Zahra, 20 and Lola Simone Rock, 22, with ex-wife Malaak Compton-Rock, seemed to be in good spirits throughout the night.
As for Smith, now 56, the actor faced a 10-year ban from attending any Academy events, virtual or in-person, after the 2022 incident. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed the decision in a formal statement weeks after the ceremony, enforcing the restriction under its official guidelines.
That year’s Oscars, hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes, was largely overshadowed by the shocking slap. Ironically, despite the controversy, Smith still walked away with the Best Actor award for his performance in King Richard that very night.
When asked by E! News about how he’s moved forward since the incident, Rock responded with a simple yet profound statement: “I live in forgiveness. True love starts at forgiveness.”
Switching gears to this year’s Oscars, Rock had nothing but praise for 2025 host Conan O’Brien. “I thought it was amazing, incredible. They should let O’Brien host every year,” he said.
As for Smith, he issued a public apology for the slap in July 2022. A film industry insider shared with PEOPLE last June that the Men in Black star “has had plenty of time to reflect on his life and is doing well now.” According to the source, Smith is focused on moving forward and embracing his career opportunities, with several exciting projects on the horizon.
