Chris Rock makes his first prominent appearance at an Oscars after-party since the Will Smith slap and hints at potential return as host

Chris Rock stepped back into the Oscars after-party scene on March 2, 2025, making his first appearance at the Vanity Fair bash since his confrontation with Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards. Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, Rock walked the red carpet with his youngest daughter, Zahra Rock, by his side. It was a poignant moment, marking the comedian’s return to Hollywood’s elite event circuit after being slapped onstage by Smith, who was reacting to a joke Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia.

Though the atmosphere at the party was as glamorous as ever, questions about the slap loomed large, with many eager to know how Rock was feeling now, three years removed from the controversy. He didn’t shy away from discussing the incident, offering a perspective that seemed both grounded and forward-looking.

When asked if he had moved on from the slap, Rock took a moment to reflect before answering. “I live in forgiveness,” he told E! News, adding, “True love starts at forgiveness.” His response wasn’t just about Will Smith, but about the concept of letting go of resentment and allowing personal growth to flourish. This thoughtful sentiment showed a depth that had perhaps been absent in the immediate aftermath of the incident, when Rock turned to humor to cope with the blow. His focus on forgiveness also extended to himself, noting that “the most miserable people on earth are people that can’t forgive” — a statement that resonated as both advice and wisdom.

Forgiveness, for Rock, is a core part of his emotional and professional maturity. While the slap was undeniably a traumatic event, his response in recent years has been one of healing, not bitterness. Whether or not Rock has fully healed from the public humiliation, his focus on personal growth speaks to his resilience.

As one of the most talked-about incidents in recent Oscars history, the question of whether Rock would ever return to host the Academy Awards again seemed inevitable. His answer? “You never know.” It was an open-ended reply, one that left room for speculation while also reflecting his careful consideration. Rock has hosted the Oscars twice before—once in 2005 and again in 2016—but his 2022 experience with Smith was a game-changer. After the slap, Rock made it clear that hosting the Oscars in 2023 wasn’t something he was interested in. In a stand-up special, he joked that going back to the Oscars would be like “returning to the scene of a crime,” which underscored how deeply the slap had affected him at the time.

However, Rock’s attitude appears to have evolved. His response at the Vanity Fair party suggests that, while it may not be something he’s actively seeking, he isn’t entirely ruling it out. With his focus on forgiveness and personal growth, Rock seems to be leaving the door open for future possibilities—whether that involves hosting the Oscars or pursuing new professional opportunities.

The slap caused a massive ripple in the entertainment world, and its consequences were felt far beyond the night of the Academy Awards. Will Smith’s actions led to him being banned from attending Academy events for ten years. In the aftermath, Smith apologized for his behavior, stating that “violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive” and acknowledging that his actions were unacceptable. Smith later resigned from the Academy, and though Rock initially responded with jokes, his tone has since shifted.

In his stand-up routines, Rock didn’t shy away from making light of the incident, even cracking jokes about Smith’s size and how it would be an unfair fight if they were to clash. But as time has passed, Rock’s perspective on the matter seems to have matured. He no longer leans on the humor as a defense mechanism. Instead, his message about forgiveness, healing, and personal growth has taken center stage. While Will Smith is no longer a part of the Oscars conversation, Chris Rock continues to be a force in the entertainment world, growing stronger and more introspective as he moves forward.