Rob Schneider has finally broken his silence on the infamous incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. During a recent appearance on “The Kyle & Jackie O Show,” Schneider didn’t hold back his thoughts on the matter, labeling Smith as an “a–hole” and a “fraud.”
Schneider, who is a close friend of Rock, expressed that Smith has been concealing his true nature for years. “Will Smith is a t—,” Schneider remarked. “That night, his real self was exposed, and it turns out he’s an a–hole.”
The comedian went on to emphasize the gravity of Smith’s actions, especially given the public setting and the target of the slap. “It’s a deep, dark thing to do that in front of all those people and to a really great legendary comedian who’s literally the best comedian of our generation,” Schneider said. “Chris Rock has paved the way for so many in comedy.”
Schneider revealed that he was initially unable to speak out about the incident due to his role on a committee responsible for disciplining Smith. “I wasn’t allowed to say anything at that time because we were part of the committee that’s supposed to punish him,” he explained. “He’s a liar. A complete, utter fraud. And it was exposed in that time.”
Smith’s slap, which was in response to a joke Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith, shocked the entertainment industry. Schneider criticized the Academy for their delayed response, suggesting that their hesitation was due to concerns about appearing racist. “The point is, violence is what it is. And whether the color of your skin or your religion, it doesn’t matter if you commit a crime in front of other people, you get hauled out of there,” he added.
Schneider also shared that Rock took a long time to process the incident. “He didn’t want to talk to anybody,” Schneider said. “I don’t blame him. But it took him a while to get to where he could react to it because it was a lot. He’s a very sensitive, great guy, and he’s literally a genius.”
Smith has faced significant backlash since the incident. In 2023, he spoke about how recent adversities have led him to refocus his personal priorities. “What I’ve experienced in my adversities of the last couple years is, I have to be clear about who I am and what I am attempting to do in the world,” Smith said during a panel at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. “I can’t need others to applaud for me to stay focused on my mission.”
Smith added, “I have always wanted to put good into the world, I have always wanted to make people smile, I have always been devoted to the process of joy and inspiration, and I want you to feel good.”
Schneider’s comments come as part of a broader conversation within the comedy community about the implications of Smith’s actions. Many comedians have expressed concern that the incident could set a dangerous precedent for violence against performers.
