It’s hard to believe it’s been three whole years since the notorious Oscars slap — three years since Will Smith made an enemy of Chris Rock and most of Hollywood. So, what has the film star learned after having all this time to reflect? 3ta7

Smith, 56, was essentially canceled in 2022 after storming on stage and slapping the night’s host, Chris Rock, for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Since then, it’s mostly been radio silence. We did see Will return for a fourth Bad Boys, and he’ll also be back for a sequel to one of the most forgettable movies of the late 2000s, but he’s mostly kept his head down and stayed away from the public’s attention — until now that is.

Will Smith addresses the Oscars slap in his latest album 4v2841

That’s right, the actor has made a surprising return to the music scene with a brand new album almost 20 years to the day since his last release. The new album is called Based on a True Story and in it Smith wastes no time addressing the altercation between him and Rock. The very first line of the opening track titled, “Int. Barbershop – Day” references the aftermath of the slap. 

At the start of the song, a voice is heard saying, “Will Smith is canceled,” from there it continues, with the various artists featured on the track echoing the thoughts that many people shared in the wake of the viral moment. At one point another voice asks, “who the f*** Will Smith think he is?” before saying: “I ain’t never going to forgive him for that s*** he did.”

Later in the song there are more direct references to the incident, “Him and Jada both crazy, girl, what you talkin’ bout?/ You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth.” Someone also asks if Smith gave the Oscar back before saying, “you know they only made him do that s*** because he’s Black.”

The references to the incident continue into the second track, “You Lookin’ for Me” where he raps about being back on top, “Even though I won’t get nominated.” Both songs acknowledge the criticisms thrown at Smith during that period but also seem to be clapping back at his detractors who wanted to see him canceled.

The Oscars slap has deeply affected Will Smith’s career 434r4e

For those who need their memories jogged, Chris Rock, who was hosting the ceremony, made a joke directed at Smith’s wife, Jada, in which he referenced her shaved head. While the joke got a chuckle out of the crowd, including Will himself, Jada seemed less than pleased. Seeing his wife’s reaction, Will stormed the stage and slapped the host before returning to his seat and yelling, “keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth!”

This was the same year Smith won his first Oscar, although his actions that night overshadowed his achievement and saw the actor banned from the ceremony while his career took a bit of a nosedive. He did later apologize to Rock but it seems his actions that night had a greater impact on his career than anyone could have expected.

Chris Rock is no stranger to controversial moments while on stage. The comedian, actor, and filmmaker was famously the recipient of a slap, courtesy of the usually placid Will Smith while hosting the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony after making a joke about the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

To give Rock credit, whatever you think of the joke that caused the slap, he took it like a champ, remained professional, and saw out the rest of the show at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. However, a more recent on-stage incident has reportedly caused the 59-year-old to storm out of the respective event. Rock was performing a comedy routine at an Australian billionaire’s holiday party in New York City over the weekend when he abruptly left the stage.

Packaging mogul Anthony Pratt was hosting an opulent gathering at the Big Apple’s 5-star Mandarin Oriental hotel to mark his move from Melbourne to the city after receiving his green card in October. Per the New York Post, Rock’s stand-up routine wasn’t listed on the program, so his emergence on the stage surprised the crowd of notable guests, who included Australian-American country singer Keith Urban, veteran actor George Hamilton, former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, and former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.

But Rock’s appearance was brief. He was reportedly a hit for the short time he was there, but after spotting someone or something in the crowd, he abruptly left. Cindy Adams wrote in the aforementioned New York Post column, “Whatever he saw — or thought he saw — upset him. Like he went momentarily ape and shouted something like he wasn’t supposed to be taped, videoed, reported or whatever else wasn’t supposed to happen.” Adams added that Rock “didn’t complain, didn’t explain” why he was leaving but was subsequently seen forcefully “barrelling” his way through the crowd to do so, and said, “He kept b****ing loudly and, without a second’s hesitation, stormed out — never to return.”

Apparently, the crowd was incredibly confused by the whole thing, but they weren’t left disappointed, as Keith Urban took to the stage for renditions of his biggest hits for 90 minutes.

As for Pratt, he’s got something of a reputation for the lavish parties he throws. The 64-year-old is the chairman of Australian-based company Visy and United States-based recycling company Pratt Industries, and his net worth is reportedly around $11.3 billion (per Forbes).

The fees Rock and Urban received for their performances remain unclear (whether Rock got paid at all after walking out shouldn’t be a certainty), but Pratt has been known to give guest performers at his bashes significant amounts of money. In February, he paid Katy Perry $1.5 million to fly to Melbourne to perform in front of 220 guests at his luxurious and historic mansion.

Hopefully, more information will emerge about what made Rock storm off stage (maybe Will Smith was in the crowd, shaking his fist!). If and when that information comes to light, we’ll be sure to tell you about it quickly.

The Oscars are the biggest ceremony of the year in Hollywood. However, in 2022 the night saw one of its most shocking and memorable moments..

Everyone re when Oscar nominee Will Smith walked onto the stage and slapped host Chris Rock across the face. In relation, Rock laughed off the entire ordeal as Smith returned to his seat and yelled several expletives in Rock’s direction, advising the comedian to keep the name of his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, out of Rock’s mouth.

Following the altercation, which was broadcast on live television to millions of viewers, Smith went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, although it was soon confirmed that he was banned from the Oscars for 10 years. Years later, however, people continue to scratch their heads and wonder exactly why Smith slapped Rock across the face in the first place.

So, why exactly did Smith slap Rock at the Oscars? 1sw2j

With the situation happening over 2 years ago, it’s hardly a surprise that folks are still interested in the reasoning behind Smith’s slap. On one hand, it’s widely believed that Smith slapped Rock due to a joke that Rock made about Will’s wife Jada. With her head shaved at the Oscars, Rock made a joke about hopefully seeing Jada in a G.I. Jane sequel. The joke referenced Demi Moore’s character, who had her head shaved in the Ridley Scott vehicle.

This visibly upset Jada, as she suffers from alopecia – a condition that results in hair loss. And while Smith himself appeared to find the joke amusing at first, his feelings immediately switched once he noticed that Jada wasn’t thrilled with Rock’s punchline. 

In the aftermath of the incident, Smith has since publicly apologized to Rock on several occasions — including a YouTube video ed over a year ago. It’s unclear as of right now if Smith and Rock will ever put their differences aside, but there’s absolutely no denying how monumental and impactful that infamous moment has become in the realm of pop culture.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has seen its fair share of controversial ceremonies over the course of the Oscars‘ 95 years. Those include actress Sacheen Littlefeather refusing to accept the award on behalf of Marlon Brando in protest of Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans in 1973, photographer Robert Opel streaking nude across the stage in 1974, and the infamous “oops” moment in 2017 when La La Land was prematurely awarded Best Picture instead of the rightful winner, Moonlight. 

Still, nothing comes close to the shocking display of violence that took place back in 2022 when famed performer Will Smith got up out of his seat, walked across the Oscars stage, and slapped host Chris Rock across the face on live TV after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. 

The moment will live in infamy, and will, unfortunately, precede both Smith and Rock for the remainder of their careers. On one hand, Smith’s actions displayed nothing but pure rage and violence in front of millions of viewers. On the other hand, the moment was shared across the globe and became a meme in only a matter of days. So it’s long-lasting impression on the realm of Hollywood is different depending on how you look at it.

A few short weeks after the 2022 ceremony, the Academy issued an official ban on Smith, ensuring that he become forbidden from setting foot anywhere near an Academy event or program. It isn’t permanent though, which begs the question — just how long is it?

How long did the Academy ban Smith from attending the Oscars? 585m31

On April 8, 2022, a couple of weeks after the slap heard around the world, President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement that the Academy was implementing a 10-year ban on Smith, ensuring that even if he gets nominated for an Oscar and wins, he can’t accept it virtually or in person until 2033.

“The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”

In a public apology to both the Academy and Chris Rock in the days following his outburst, Smith said, “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable… I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong… There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness…. I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world.” Shortly after, he resigned from the Academy. 

Eventually, months later, Smith once again apologized to Rock in a public YouTube video, sparking an even larger debate about whether or not he deserves forgiveness. 

Nearly a year later in March 2023, Rock finally addressed the ordeal for the first time in his Netflix special Selective Outrage, eviscerating both Will and Jada in the process. While the comedy show seemed on the surface an opportunity for Rock to finally share his side of the story, some came away from it with tastes in their mouths just as sour as that fateful, infamous night back in 2022. 

Drama surrounding the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony inevitably flung three actors into the spotlight.

A joke from presenter Chris Rock ended in a brief but aggressive confrontation at the ceremony after Will Smith rose from his seat, crossed the stage, and slapped Rock across the face. The altercation was prompted by a jab from Rock at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, aimed at her recent hair loss. The discussion around who was in the right was ongoing for weeks following the event, and fresh news about the Smiths is once again throwing the famous couple into the spotlight.

The Oscars drama, paired with news that Pinkett Smith and her husband have been separated for more than half a decade, quickly prompted a slew of questions about Pinkett Smith and the medical condition surrounding her hair loss. It also brought up questions about the 50-year-old actress in general as people dig up details to bolster their arguments.

Jada Pinkett Smith’s net worth 1dp4d

Pinkett Smith and her husband are not strangers to the limelight. They’ve both enjoyed impressive genre-spanning careers for several decades and their famous family is often at the center of Hollywood gossip. The last several years have seen additional chatter arise surrounding the family’s typically genteel image after Pinkett Smith itted to having an affair with the much younger August Alsina during a separation from Smith. News of the affair promptly went viral, sparking a debate of its own.

Apart from the affair, however, and a few controversies surrounding their parenting style, the Smiths mostly maintain their status as one of Hollywood’s tamest families. They’ve enjoyed a far longer marriage than most of their famous peers, sharing nearly 25 years together despite recent revelations of a lengthy separation.

Smith’s name is slightly better known than that of his wife, but Pinkett Smith remains a linchpin of Hollywood nonetheless. She’s mostly stepped back from film in recent years, instead dedicating much of her time to her talk show, Red Table Talk. The award-winning series follows three generations of Pinkett Smith’s family, from her mother — Adrienne Banfield-Norris — down to Pinkett Smith and her daughter, Willow Smith and aims to provide “a forum where the perspectives of three different generations on a wide variety of topics are shared.”

Pinkett Smith’s focus on her talk show hasn’t entirely robbed her of the chance to participate in films, either. She still found time in her busy schedule to appear in 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections along with several roles in television programs. Pinkett Smith is still a heavy hitter in the world of Hollywood, and that prominence is reflected in her net worth. She doesn’t share an income with her husband, however ⏤ a fact that is clear when examining the pair’s ballooning bank s over the years.

Pinkett Smith has a net worth of around $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This is more than $300 million less than her husband, but is still an enviable number by all s. Pinkett Smith accumulated her wealth over years of acting in film and television projects as well as work in music videos, fashion, and as a writer of children’s books.

While I love to advocate that celebrities have a right to privacy and shouldn’t be treated as if they signed away their lives in exchange for fame, it becomes hard to stand by the sentiment when a celebrity is eagerly giving away information about their personal life and kickstarting speculation sprees all by themselves. That mini-rant is to dash any lingering guilt I have before diving into the freshly revealed details — by none other than Jada Pinkett Smith — that throw a whole new light on the Oscars 2022 slap fiasco and give new meaning to why Chris Rock really dragged her “entanglement” while addressing the slap after a year.

After Will Smith marched up to the stage of the Oscars in 2022 and slapped Chris Rock for mocking Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, the gossip mill kept churning enough ammo around the topic for months. Whenever it faltered, someone popped up to speak their mind on the months-old issue, ensuring that the memory of the slap remained minty-fresh. This time, it is Pinkett Smith herself.

In the last 24 hours, Pinkett Smith has left the world reevaluating the last 7 years as she revealed that she and Will have been separated since 2016 as they were “exhausted with trying” — which has brought old rumors to the present. As if that startling revelation wasn’t enough, the Matrix actress has now gone ahead and shared with People that Chris Rock — the comedian who publicly mocked her baldness and later blamed her for the Oscars 2022 drama — actually wanted to date her when rumors of her and Will’s divorce starting swirling.

“I think every summer all the reports would come out that me and Will were getting a divorce. And this particular summer, Chris, he thought that we were getting a divorce. So he called me and basically he was like, ‘I’d love to take you out.’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Well, aren’t you and Will getting a divorce?’ I was like, ‘No. Chris, those are just rumors.’ He was appalled. And he profusely apologized and that was that.”

So, there was a point in time when Rock wanted to date Pinkett Smith. But the next immediate question this revelation begs is when did the stand-up comedian share this particular desire with the actress because as she correctly highlighted, rumors of her and the Suicide Squad star’s divorce have been around for years, which put a new spring in their steps every once in a while.

When did Chris Rock ask Jada Pinkett Smith out? 4epg

Now, we are working on a moral ground here, which includes the fact that Rock was married until 2016. So, hopefully, he asked Pinkett Smith out after that, right? But that brings in the 2016 Oscar drama where as per Rock’s in 2023, Pinkett Smith asked him to quit the gig of hosting the awards ceremony that year as her husband’s film Concussion wasn’t nominated.

“Years ago, his wife said I should quit the Oscars. I shouldn’t host ’cause her man didn’t get nominated for Concussion. And then he gives me a [beep] concussion. That’s how it is – she starts it, I finish it, OK? That’s what the [beep] happened. Nobody’s picking on her. She started this [beep].”

Based on this chaotic timeline, was Rock just pissed about Pinkett Smith expecting him to quit the Oscars way back in 2016 when he chose to make fun of her in 2022, or did this eclectic mix of emotions also include the sting of rejection? We may never know as so far he hasn’t responded to the new comments, or maybe we will when Rock — in his bid to find fresh fodder for his next comedy special — decides to discuss (read: diss) when he mustered the courage to ask out Pinkett Smith.

Earth spins ever onward through the cosmos, and despite the noise having long since died away, the Chris Rock slap reverberates into infinity. 

In October of 2023, the world was shocked – shocked – to learn that the marriage of Jada Pinkett Smith and Prince William the Fresh Smith might be a troubled one. Of particular interest: The revelation that the two had been effectively separated for some seven summers, per Jada’s recollection, and that, amidst rumors of the dissolution of their partnership, comedian Chris “The Johnson” Rock had called Jada and asked her out on a date.

Scandalized, taken aback, and emotionally devastated, a weary nation wondered to itself: Isn’t Chris Rock married already? 

Has Chris Rock ever been married? 6l536q

He’s not, but he was. In 1996, Rock married Malaak Compton-Rock, presumably before she hyphenated her last name. The couple had two daughters, but separated in 2014, finalizing their divorce in 2016. Rock opened up about his marital troubles in his 2018 stand up special, Tambourine, itting that he was both unfaithful and embattled by an addiction to pornography. “I didn’t listen. I wasn’t kind. I cheated (…) I’m not bragging. I’d go on the road, end up sleeping with three different women,” he stated. 

The 58-year-old comedian hasn’t remarried in the nine years since his separation. At last check-in, he was rumored to be involved with Children’s Hospital star and David Wain project regular Lake Bell. Bell is probably best known at the moment for her work as the voice of Poison Ivy on HBO’s Harley Quinn, and as Marvel’s go-to voice double for Scarlett Johansson in projects like What If…?

Everybody Hates Chris was a sitcom based on the early life of comedy legend Chris Rock. The series burst onto the small screen in September 2005, commanding an audience of 7.8 million viewers with its debut episode.

Tyler James Williams starred as the delightfully nerdy Chris, a 13-year-old African American boy growing up in a close-knit family in gritty Bedford-Stuyvesant. At his mother’s behest, the youngster takes the bus across town to attend all-white Corleone Junior High School, where he receives a good education but is intermittently bullied and isolated. The show’s unique perspective and stellar cast quickly connected with a loyal fanbase and won critical acclaim. Fans were baffled when the show suddenly ended after four seasons. Questions still linger as to why, but as it turns out, the answer might surprise you.

Reasons for the show’s cancellation 196f16

A decline in ratings was the catalyst for the cancellation of Everybody Hates Chris. As viewership fell, The CW moved the show from primetime on Thursdays to the Friday night time slot of doom in its fourth season. 

Faced with decreasing engagement, the show’s creator, Chris Rock, requested the cancellation of Everybody Hates Chris. He sought to maintain the show’s integrity and high creative standards by going out a proverbial high. It was a move echoed a decade later by Jesse Armstrong, who opted to end the hit HBO series Succession in its fourth season. Everybody Hates Chris took its final bow after four successful seasons and 88 episodes of classic television.

Fans of were not very pleased about its cancellation, especially as it ended on a cliffhanger that left them wanting more.

The legacy of Everybody Hates Chris 4s636y

Everybody Hates Chris premiered the same year as The Big Bang Theory and Ugly Betty. Television networks were finally investing in narratives that resonated with stories about the underdogs. The niche was a refreshing departure from the shallow materialism of MTV’s The Hills. Everybody Hates Chris stood out because of its substance. It audaciously made the case that healthy, nourishing family bonds are the greatest of life’s treasures.

The series explored themes of race, class, and coming-of-age with humor and grace, while other shows studiously avoided these pressing topics. The foundation of love, kindness, and respect Chris’s parents shared and instilled in their children helped them navigate the challenge of being Black in America. The show wasn’t trying to awaken the restless consumer in its viewers. Instead, it encouraged self-acceptance, authenticity, and stability rooted in the solid ground of heartfelt loved ones. With its substantive messages, it’s no wonder that Everybody Hates Chris remains a cultural touchstone.

Everybody Hates Chris is a rare gem in the landscape of television sitcoms. It tells the story of a child who was routinely ill-treated at school because of his race. It showed how a loving family and a loyal friend helped him persevere through adversity. The show is so well written and performed with such finesse that there was never a need to resort to gimmicks to make each episode entertaining.

Young Chris did not have to become a superhero or live a life of luxury to be lovable. It’s a powerful and necessary reminder for young people who are inundated with misleading messages that undermine their self-esteem. There is something wonderfully wholesome about how Chris’s family cherished him. It helped him walk into Corleone Junior High School, knowing he was enough even if his peers couldn’t see it. His family’s unwavering love saw him through until the rest of the world finally caught up with them and came to love with Chris Rock.

Everybody Hates Chris is an award-winning CW sitcom that premiered in 2005 and ran until 2009. Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi found inspiration in the comedian’s childhood to create a television series about a nerdy African American teenager from a close-knit family growing up in the then-crime-ridden Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn while traveling across town to study and navigate the social hierarchy at the all-white Corleone Junior High School in the 1980s. Young Chris experiences isolation until he befriends fellow geek Greg (Vincent Martella).

With an animated reboot of Everybody Hates Chris coming to Comedy Central and Paramount Plus soon, it’s time to catch up with the stellar cast of the original show and see what they are up to today.

Chris Rock 645k63

After the success of his semi-autobiographical TV show, Chris Rock continued to be a force in the entertainment industry. The Saturday Night Live alum continued to act, starring in films like Death at a Funeral, Top Five, The Week Of, and Amsterdam. Rock made his Broadway debut in the play The Motherf-r with the Hat in 2011. He also appeared on the small screen on Empire, Kevin Can Wait, and Fargo. 

Over the years, Rock has hosted the Academy Awards several times. In 2022, he was attacked on stage by Academy Award-winning actor Will Smith. A year later, the comedian roasted Smith in the Netflix stand-up comedy special, Selective Outrage, which rocketed to Netflix’s Top 10 Most Watched charts.

Tyler James Williams j6e3a

Tyler James Williams captured the hearts of a generation of young Chris on the popular CW sitcom. After the show, the actor moved from one strength to another, starring in the musical film Let It Shine in 2012 and the hit AMC series The Walking Dead as Noah from 2014 to 2015. 

Today, Williams plays Gregory Eddie on the acclaimed ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, for which he won the 2023 Golden Globe Award for Best ing Actor – Television Series and received two nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards.

He has also appeared on the silver screen in films like Detroit and The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Williams’ acting talent continues to prove that his early success on Everybody Hates Chris was just the beginning.

Terry Crews 1i2d34

Terry Crews shone in the role of Julius Rock, the hardworking and dedicated patriarch on Everybody Hates Chris. After the show, he starred in the reality TV series The Family Crews. He later won the role of Terry Jeffords in the hit sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which lasted from 2013 to 2021. Crews published his autobiography, Manhood: How to Be a Better Man or Just Live with One in 2014. He also appeared on the big screen in Blended, Rumble, and the blockbuster Expendables franchise. The charismatic star became the host of the popular gameshows Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and America’s Got Talent. 

Crews also became an influential activist during the #MeToo movement when he revealed he was sexually assaulted in 2016. The courage of his vulnerable disclosure and his robust for other survivors of sexual abuse saw him awarded the prestigious 2017 Person of the Year feature by Time Magazine.

Tichina Arnold 3526d

Tichina Arnold was unforgettable as Rochelle, the firm yet loving mother on Everybody Hates Chris. In 2014, she appeared in the Chris Rock film Top Five and The Main Event on Netflix. Arnold appeared in other sitcoms, playing the role of Judi Mann opposite Fran Drescher in Happily Divorced and Cassie Calloway in Survivors Remorse. Since 2018, she has played Tina Butler in The Neighborhood.

Tequan Richmond 3p6t1e

After playing Drew, Chris’ little brother, Tequan Richmond continued to have a successful career as a television actor. He starred as TJ Ashford on the soap opera ABC’s General Hospital from 2012 to 2018. Before he became a member of the Everybody Hates Chris cast, Richmond played young Ray Charles Jr. in the Academy Award-winning biopic Ray. The North Carolina native returned to the silver screen in 2013 as Beltway sniper Lee Boyd Malvo in Blue Caprice. He also appeared on popular shows like Numbers, Weeds, and Private Practice. Richmond starred as Bryson on BET’s Boomerang from 2018 to 2019.

Imani Hakim 6z136b

After playing Tonya, the little sister of Chris, Imani Hakim starred as Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas in the Lifetime film The Gabby Douglas Story in 2014. She’s also appeared on the big screen in Chocolate City and Burning Sands. Today, Imani co-stars as game tester Dana Bryant on the hit Apple TV comedy series Mythic Quest.

Vincent Martella cb4w

Vincent Martella played adorable geek Greg Wuliger on Everybody Hates Chris. He has forged a successful career as a voice actor after the show ended. Martella played Phineas Flynn on the animated series Phineas and Ferb from 2007 to 2015 on Disney. He is also the voice of Hope Estheim in Final Fantasy XIII. 

Martella voices Jason Todd/Robin in the animated DCEU films Batman: Under the Red Hood and Batman: Death in the Family. He also played Patrick on the fourth season of The Walking Dead, which starred his former co-star Tyler James Williams.

Conclusion 1k2xl

It’s heartwarming to see that the talented cast of Everybody Hates Chris is enjoying continued success. From acting to activism, the sitcom was a launchpad for each actor to make their mark. 

Just when you thought the world couldn’t possibly get any stranger, the Burning Man festival has been placed on lockdown with nobody allowed to enter or leave after inclement weather turned the entire event in a sludgy pool of knee-deep mud. Of course, celebrities can always find a way to flee, but Chris Rock achieved it in the most unexpected of fashions.

In another sentence that sounds ridiculous when you see it, the actor and comedian ended up walking for five miles through the goop with Diplo of all people, before they ended up hitching a ride with a fellow festival-goer in their pickup truck that managed to make it through the increasingly treacherous terrain in a mad dash for safety.

If you thought today’s edition of “things you never thought you’d hear” was over, then think again after rumors began spreading on social media that Burning Man was also the subject of an Ebola virus outbreak, which would have made for quite the surprise headliner all things considered.

It’s a hoax, of course, but that hasn’t stopped internet s from claiming the CDC is ready to quarantine the entire area in an effort to prevent a national catastrophe. Chris Rock, Diplo, Burning Man, and Ebola; what more could anybody ask for in of completely unexpected words to string together that would have sounded preposterously far-fetched as recently as 24 hours ago?

Quarantining and cordoning off a massive stretch of land due to a virus? That sounds an awful lot like I Am Legend, but you’d suspect that won’t be on Rock’s watch-list anytime soon.

Comedian and Oscar survivor, Chris Rock couldn’t escape the lengths stalkers would go to in order to invade his personal privacy. It was recently reported that the comedian called the police after he spotted a “peeping Tom” outside his window.

According to TMZ, the stalker was spotted outside his New York City residence and was lurking around his fire escape. It was also reported that the alleged stalker was captured on Rock’s cameras and was seen either trying to film or snap photos of the celebrity. The comedian called 911 outside his home but the moment authorities arrived, the stalker was nowhere to be seen.

The publication alleged that the stalker made a clean escape by “jumping down” from the fire escape to the ground, then drove away in a white Mercedes. A police report has been filed and the incident is currently under investigation.

Reports of stalkers following celebrities aren’t new. Daily Mail recently reported Taylor Swift being swarmed by fans at a recording studio, with speculation on social media of fans following her car to her residence in New York City. Meanwhile, BTS have received death threats from stalkers who claim they’re neighbors after of the groups said they will no longer accept food given to them.

Fortunately, Rock is safe and no harm was done to the celebrity. It’s currently unknown if he’s going to increase security in his home. But at least he has surveillance footage to help identify the person attempting to capture unsolicited photos of him.

It’s been more than a year since Will Smith’s infamous assault on Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards. The comedian made a dig at Smith’s wife during his monologue and Smith, much to the shock of viewers and attendees alike, took enough issue with the comment to make his way to the podium and slap the confused smile right off of Rock’s face.

While Rock himself was initially incredibly quiet about the controversy, his recent Netflix special, Selective Outrage was clearly his therapeutic way of coping with the slap heard ‘round the world. The “selective outrage” Rock is talking about is aimed exclusively at Smith, who — as he jokes throughout the special — is directing his frustrations at the wrong person. Rock thinks the aggression was truly meant for Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, who had recently itted to a four-year “entanglement” – an affair Pinkett-Smith had with her son’s friend, then 22-year-old musician August Alsina. Will Smith has since apologized for his reaction, but it hasn’t done much to quell the conversation.

Rock isn’t the only person to blame Will Smith’s assault on his wife’s antics. Since the start of the brouhaha, fans and celebrities alike have been expressing for one party or the other. Nick Cannon believes that Smith’s response was a build-up of rage after being on the “Toxic” red table internet talk show Pinkett-Smith co-hosted. Jim Carrey was quick to shame Smith for his disproportionate response, Steve Harvey thought it was “a punk move.” Now comedic legend D.L. Hughley is weighing in on the subject.

In an interview with VladTV, Hughley goes to bat, unapologetically defending Rock’s word choice from the event that night saying, “What do you call somebody that f**ks your son’s best friend, and then brings you on a show where you talk about it?”

Interviewer DJ Vlad pushes the word choice, noting that the whole crowd went quiet as soon as Rock labeled Pinkett-Smith a b**ch.

“If we take b**ch off the table, what is it? What do you say? There has to be some way to express your outrage about it, right?” Hughley pushed back, “If somebody did that to you, what would you call them?”

As a comedian, Hughley understands the risk inherent in an inelegant joke. Despite this — and arguments that, due to the joke, the slap was warranted — he can’t get behind arguments that Smith was in the right, “You think that a joke is more impactful than a slap. I disagree.”

He refuses to hold back throughout the interview, emphasizing that “[being called] a bitch is better than getting slapped,” and accurately noting that “Calling [somebody] a bitch isn’t illegal. Punching somebody is.”

Hughley is just as convinced the attack was a reflection of the Red Table interview as Chris Rock himself. He insinuates that the emotion Smith displaced on Rock was a symptom of a heartsickness deeply engrained in a man whose wife forced him to talk about deeply personal issues for social media acclaim.

“You know, it’s insulting to me… Stop pretending that when Will cried that night and was so emotional that night, that wasn’t based on one joke. That wasn’t based on one joke about Jada, that was some whole other s**t going on.”

As Rock says in his special, “We’ve all been cheated on, but we’ve never had to go and do an interview with the person who cheated on us.”