Chris Rock says Jada Pinkett Smith ‘started’ their feud during his Netflix special

Chris Rock made a bold Oscar claim about Jada Pinkett Smith during a new comedy special.

On Saturday (March 4), the comedian performed a historic live set for Netflix, titled Selective outragewhere he grilled Will Smith for trashing him at the Oscars in March 2022.

However, he also used the set to make a claim about Smith’s wife, Pinkett Smith. According to Rock Girls trip The actress tried to force him to stop hosting the Oscars in 2016 because her husband didn’t get a Best Actor nomination.

That year, Smith was tipped for a possible nod to the drama Concussionbut he ultimately failed to make the shortlist.

“Years ago, his wife told me to leave the Oscars. I shouldn’t host because her husband wasn’t nominated for Concussion. And then he gives me a massive concussion,” Rock laughed.

He added that Pinkett Smith told him he “had to quit because Will wasn’t nominated”.

Rock ignored Pinkett Smith’s pleas and, while presenting this year’s ceremony, made a joke at Pinkett Smith’s expense, which resurfaced after the Oscars.

Now Rock claims he made this joke in response to Pinkett Smith’s request.

“Here’s the thing – she starts it, I finish it, okay? That’s what the hell happened. No one cares about her. She started this shit.”

In 2016, Pinkett Smith, along with many Hollywood stars, boycotted the 2016 ceremony due to the lack of diversity among that year’s nominations. This lack of diversity prompted the #OscarsSoWhite campaign.

The independent has reached out to Pinkett Smith for comment.

Rock added in the special, “I’ve been rooting for Will Smith my whole life. And now I see Emancipation just to see him whipped.”

Emancipation is the 2021 slave drama directed by Antonie Fuqua, in which Smith plays a man who must survive the swamps of Louisiana while being hunted by slave catchers and their dogs.

Elsewhere during Rock’s stand-up special, the comedian dismissed Meghan Markle’s claims that she experienced “racism” during her time at Buckingham Palace.

He also directly addressed Smith’s slapping, saying he “took it here” just like former professional boxer Manny Paquiao.

However, fans noted that Rock made an obvious mistake about Smith when he roasted the actor.

In 2022, Smith took to the Oscars stage to slam Rock after the comedy star made a joke about Pinkett Smith.

Later in the ceremony, Smith was named Best Actor for his role in King Richardand gave a tearful speech.

He was later banned as a member of the academy for 10 years and will not be allowed to attend the ceremony in 2023.

By tradition, Smith, as the reigning Best Actor winner, would have been invited to present Best Actress. It is not known who will present the trophy in his place.

This year’s Oscars will take place on March 12.