Many rushed to support Chris Rock when Will Smith slapped him for making a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair (or the lack thereof). Now, TMZ reports, Rock is being criticized following a joke he made likening the incident to the gruesome murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.
The 57-year-old cracked the controversial joke while performing at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix. According to The Guardian, he told the audience that the Oscars organizers asked him to host next year’s awards show. However, the comedy vet said coming back to host the Oscars in 2023 would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson to return to the restaurant where she ate before she was murdered in 1994.
Needless to say, there were several Twitter users who weren’t fans of the comparison.
“I’ve been on Will Smith’s side from the start and I’d fully support him slapping Chris Rock again,” a user tweeted.
I've been on Will Smith's side from the start and I'd fully support him slapping Chris Rock again.
— Diamond💎Cutter (@adrien_gabriela) August 29, 2022
“Chris Rock saying this type of ignorant shit just makes me realize why I understand Will Smith had to do what he had to do,” another added.
Chris Rock saying this type of ignorant shit just makes me realize why I understand Will Smith had to do what he had to do https://t.co/D2h5QwELLM
— JT (@JTriplett0825) August 29, 2022
One user argued the joke showed how out of touch Rock is.
“Last two jokes we heard from Chris Rock were a G.I Jane joke and an OJ Simpson joke. This nigga is stuck in 1997. He is a sentient Fruitopia,” they wrote.
Last two jokes we heard from Chris Rock were a G.I Jane joke and an OJ Simpson joke. This nigga is stuck in 1997. He is a sentient Fruitopia.
— ✨🦦America Is Musty🦦✨ (@DragonflyJonez) August 30, 2022
Many users noted that there’s more outrage surrounding Rock’s comment about Simpson, a white woman, than there was after he made a joke about Pinkett Smith, a Black woman.
“Okay, So Chris Rock made a joke about a black woman, and everyone was defending him Saying “oh he was joking”. Now, since he made a joke about a dead white woman, suddenly, everyone is offended. America, America has a problem,” they tweeted.
Okay, So Chris Rock made a joke about a black woman, and everyone was defending him Saying “oh he was joking”. Now, since he made a joke about a dead white woman, suddenly, everyone is offended. America, America has a problem. pic.twitter.com/rDK85LlTgb
— America’s Proble〽️ (@frdrck___) August 30, 2022
“White people are finally realizing Chris Rock deserved the slap because he’s not just mocking Black women now,” another wrote.
white people are finally realizing chris rock deserved The Slap because he’s not just mocking black women now https://t.co/wDbOqrccIp pic.twitter.com/D3udcBExtB
— angel torres’ silly rabbit ☆ (@noimkilIingboys) August 29, 2022
“Everybody mad now that Chris Rock done hit below the belt at white woman…but y’all totally fine with him doing it to black women — Jada Pinkett and Meghan Markle. Be CONSISTENT!!!” one user added.
Everybody mad now that Chris Rock done hit below the belt at white woman…but y'all totally fine with him doing it to black women — Jada Pinkett and Meghan Markle.
Be CONSISTENT!!! https://t.co/8o1oKeDg3t
— THEE #WearYoFuckinMask🤔✊🏾 (@sephius1999) August 30, 2022
Rock hasn’t commented on the backlash.
