Will Smithis still intent on repairing his relationship withChris Rock, a source tells PEOPLE.
A year after the infamous incident at the 94th Academy Awards where Smith struck Rock onstage, Rockaddressed theassault in his live Netflix comedy specialChris Rock: Selective Outrageon Saturday, asserting he “is not a victim.”
A source tells PEOPLE that Smith, 54, has “felt terrible for so long” about smacking Rock atthe Oscars. “He’s tried unsuccessfully to make amends in the best way he could with Chris,” adds the source.
“But beyond that, family is important to him and [Smith] leaned on them” in the aftermath of the incident, the source says. “It all has helped him look inside and mature. He is better but still remorseful.”
“Will listened to those who tried to help him and feels that he has become a better person,” the source continues.
Chris Rock.Kirill Bichutsky/Netflix
But Rock’s scathing jokes in his Netflix comedy special about Will and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith may have widened the rift even further.
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“Will Smithpractices selective outrage,” Rock said in his stand-up routine, adding ofthe Oscarsslap: “Everybody that really knows knows I had nothing to do with that s—. I didn’t have any ‘entanglements.’ "
Rock was referring to back in July 2020, when Jada, 51,opened upabout having an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina years ago while she and Will were on a break. She explained at the time that she and Will eventually were able to repair their relationship, saying at the time: “We have really gotten to that new place of unconditional love.”
Chris Rock; Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; David Livingston/Getty
The couple, who wed in 1997,did an episode of Jada’sRed Table Talkshow to discuss the situation.
Rock said during the special that “everybody in the world” called Will a “bitch” after the “entanglement” news and added that he tried to reach out to him about it but claimed Will didn’t pick up.
The comedian then went on to repeatedly call Will a “bitch.” He then joked: “Everybody. And who’s he hit? Me, a n—- he knows he can beat. That is some bitch-ass s—.”
source: people.com
