Chris Rock said that he will not be returning to the Academy Awards as a host.
Rock was performing in Phoenix Sunday night when the comedian shared with the audience that he had been asked to host next year’s Oscar Awards ceremony, which he declined.
Rock, 57, made a joke comparing his return to the Academy Awards to Nicole Brown Simpson’s death. He said going back to the award ceremony would be like going back to the scene of the crime or “back to the restaurant.”
Rock was referencing the O.J. Simpson murder trial where it was argued that events that led to Nicole’s murder began with her leaving a pair of glasses at an Italian restaurant.
The comedian told the audience that the slap from Will Smith “hurt” and then went on to reference Smith’s movie role as Muhammad Ali.
“He’s bigger than me,” Rock said. “The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
Rock also revealed that he was asked to host a Super Bowl commercial, which he turned down as well.
Smith received his first Academy Award shortly after slapping Rock while he was presenting an award.
Smith released a public apology on social media days after the awards ceremony and also recently released a YouTube apology to Rock.
As a result of slapping Rock, Smith has been banned from the Academy for 10 years.
