The tension between Will Smith and Chris Rock continues to linger, especially after the release of Smith’s latest album, Based on True Story. In the album, Smith addresses the infamous Oscars incident, revisiting the moment he slapped Rock on stage in 2022. Rock, however, is reportedly furious with Smith’s continued reference to the slap, seeing it as insincere.
Rock has been vocal about his feelings of frustration about Smith, with an unnamed source claiming that the comedian is “absolutely seething” over the latest remarks from Smith, who is on a so-called “spiritual journey,” according to Atlanta Black Star.
Chris Rock, Will Smith, and the slap continues to make headlines
At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, and this continues to haunt both men. Rock has been relatively silent in the public eye, but reports suggest he was deeply upset by Smith’s reaction. In Bad Boys 4, Smith’s character is slapped, a clear allusion to the Oscars incident.
Moreover, Rock feels that Smith’s behavior is not a sign of genuine growth. The source close to Rock expressed that he finds Smith’s handling of the situation to be more about self-promotion than true contrition. By addressing the slap both in his album and movies, Smith is, according to Rock, only adding to the insincerity of his previous apologies.
The reactions to Will Smith’s apologies
View this post on Instagram
Since then, Smith has apologized to Rock on numerous occasions, including one emotional video in July 2022. Despite these attempts, Rock has yet to respond and Smith’s recent references in his album and Bad Boys 4 have rekindled the tension. Sources say Rock now sees these apologies as more of a performance than heartfelt, and is not ready to go along until Smith’s actions speak louder than words.
For Rock, the constant reminders of the slap in Smith’s media efforts are a bitter reminder of the assault and how it was handled. While Smith probably hoped his public apologies and album references would lead to a renewed relationship, Rock’s reported silence suggests that healing will be slow, if at all.
