Chris Rock has declined an offer to host the 2023 Academy Awards, the comedian reportedly said so during his Sunday night show in downtown Phoenix.
The Arizona Republic broke the news, with Rock apparently saying that the Academy asked him to return to host for a third time (he previously hosted in 2005 and 2016) after the infamous moment at this year’s ceremony in which Will Smith slapped Rock onstage.
During his show, Rock reportedly compared accepting the hosting gig to returning to the scene of a crime by referencing the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.
When a fan yelled out “talk about it,” Rock continued saying: “He’s bigger than me. The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.”
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has reportedly declined to comment on Rock’s remarks.
The Academy’s board of governors banned Smith from returning to the Oscars or attending any other Academy events for the next ten years. Smith has already publicly resigned from the Academy.
Source: THR
