HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Chris Rock is seen backstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Al Seib
/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images)

Since one of the most eventful Academy Awards in history took place on Sunday night, the discourse around The Slap has been constant. It seems almost everyone has an opinion on what took place between Will Smith and Chris Rock and no one can agree on exactly where they stand. In fact, in a surprise turn of events we’re currently at the cancelling Zöe Kravitz online phase of proceedings after the actress dared to make a comment about seeing the event firsthand on Instagram. 

But among all the conversations arguments, there’s been one person we haven’t heard from until now: Chris Rock. 

On Wednesday night, the comedian took to the stage for two back-to-back performances of his current comedy show, asking all audience members to hand their phones into staff prior to its beginning. Rock reportedly began his set by asking, “What’s up, Boston? How was your weekend?!”

Per People, the only direct reference he made to the Oscars slap is saying he is “still processing what happened,” telling fans that he would probably talk about the incident at some point in a serious manner.

At the later show that night, Rock said, he really didn’t want to “talk about that shit,” going on to mention how the real disappointment of this week was that his daughter didn’t get into the University of Southern California. However, he did add, “I haven’t talked to anyone, despite what you heard,” seemingly implying he hasn’t spoken with Smith directly, despite reports earlier this week that Sean “Diddy” Combs said the pair had made amends. (It was later reported Combs actually never confirmed a reconciliation.)

In an Instagram post on Monday, Smith apologised to Rock directly for the first time, saying “violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive.” He’d already apologised to the Academy, nominees and everyone watching at home when he won Best Actor later in the night, but had avoided any mention of Rock at the time.

On Wednesday, following backlash for allowing Smith to stay at the venue despite his violence, the Academy said the actor was asked to leave the awards ceremony after the incident but “refused.”

“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” said a statement to People. “While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.”

As for where we go from here? The Academy’s holding a few more meetings until we forget about it all, and we’ll likely have another record-breaking Red Table Talk in coming weeks.