'Anybody that says words hurt has never been punched in the face': Chris Rock on being slapped by Will Smith

Chris Rock has spoken astir being smacked successful the look by histrion Will Smith connected the Academy Awards stage.

During the Oscars ceremonial successful Los Angeles past year, Smith walked onto the signifier and slapped Rock, who had made a gag astatine the disbursal of the actor's wife, histrion Jada Pinkett Smith, arsenic helium was astir to contiguous an award.

Rock's gag had made a notation to the 1997 movie GI Jane, successful which histrion Demi Moore shaved her head.

It is inactive unclear whether the comedian was alert that Pinkett Smith has alopecia, an autoimmune information that causes hairsbreadth loss, erstwhile helium made the remark.

Speaking connected Saturday connected a Netflix live-streamed peculiar Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, Rock said helium "took that deed similar (former Filipino boxer) Pacquiao".

He added: "You cognize what radical say, they ever accidental 'words hurt'.

"That's what they say.

"You've got to ticker what you say.

"Because words hurt, you know.

"Anybody that says words wounded has ne'er been punched successful the face."

While Smith has apologised and repeatedly spoken astir the incidental since past March, Rock has avoided each the accustomed platforms wherever celebrities often spell to aerial their feelings.

He ne'er sat down with Oprah Winfrey, and turned distant the galore media outlets that would person loved to onshore an exclusive in-depth interview.

"I'm not a victim, baby," said Rock.

"You volition ne'er spot maine connected Oprah oregon Gayle crying. You volition ne'er spot it. Never going to happen."

But Rock did usage his brushwood with Smith to signifier and enliven his stand-up peculiar for Netflix.

You tin ticker the Academy Awards 2023 unrecorded connected Sunday 12 March from 11pm, exclusively connected Sky News and Sky Showcase.