Comedy legend Chris Rock took a few verbal jabs at beleaguered actor Jussie Smollett at this year's NAACP Image Awards.
In the wake of the fallout around Smollett's alleged attack, Rock lambasted the actor for allegedly faking the racist and homophobic assault. Variety reports the hard-hitting funnyman was told to steer clear of Smollett and the high-profile case, but Rock decided to confront the controversy head-on with jokes.
“They said no Jussie Smollett jokes," Rock opened his joke. "I know. What a waste of light skin. You know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair? My career would be out of here. F***ing running Hollywood.”
Then, the Top Five director dug a little deeper criticizing Jussie's motivation behind the assault.
“What the hell was he thinking?” Rock asked. “From now on, you’re Jessie from now on. You don’t even get the ‘U’ no more. That ‘U’ was respect. You don’t get no respect from me.”
Chris Rock: Jussie Smollett, You Don't Get No Respect From Me #ImageAwards50
pic.twitter.com/97vpDkLltQ— TV One (@tvonetv) March 31, 2019
As Blavity reported, Smollett was charged 16 counts for lying to authorities, but prosecutors dropped all 16 charges in late March. The right criticized him for allegedly staging the attack.
Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.
While a slew of new fans from the right laughed along with him, some on Twitter blasted Rock. People did not forget the time he allowed longtime friend and fellow comedian Louis C.K. to say the N-word.
Twitter seemed to be split on whether he crossed the line.
Chris Rock: *breathes*
Y’all: “DIDNT YOU LET A BUNCH OF WHITE MEN SAY NIGGER TO YOUR FACE AND YOU JUST TOOK IT?” pic.twitter.com/bGPQPn1cuq
— X (@XLNB) March 31, 2019
You and the others that are bitching are the reason he told the joke.
Your discomfort was his point.
Have you never seen a Chris Rock show? I mean, he's been doing this comedy for decades.
Try really listening instead of trying to find something to be offended about.— E. Kat (@earthakat25) March 31, 2019
Chris Rock lets white folk use the n-word in his presence if you’re wondering where he draws lines https://t.co/hqXJAeUGx3
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) March 31, 2019
Remember when Chris Rock let white men say the N word in his presence and he laughed? https://t.co/aH7jM93MFs
— valerie complex (@ValerieComplex) March 31, 2019
I fuck with Yara Shahidi for saying “I stand with Jussie” after the Chris Rock flat ass joke.
— Breezy F Baby and the F is for Fluoxetine (@radsadblackbry) March 31, 2019
Chris Rock making Jussie jokes while he was letting his famous white friends say the N word …funny jokes but i dont wanna hear it from him lol #ImageAwards50
pic.twitter.com/c1j2oAEObt— Kendra Smith (@kendratoni11) March 31, 2019
The back-and-forth on social media did not take away strong support for the Empire co-star from his peers. He was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series but lost to Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams.
Now, check these out:
Beyoncé Gives Emotional Tribute To Her Late, Gay Uncle As She And Jay-Z Accept GLAAD Vanguard Award
Cory Booker Reveals Rosario Dawson Didn't Give Him The Time Of Day When They First Met
