Chris Rock moves on from Oscar slap in GQ interview
The comedian details his divorce, his new film Misty Green, and his plans to return to stand-up after six specials.
By Marek Collins ·
Chris Rock is ready to shift public attention away from the 2022 Academy Awards incident and toward his current creative output. In a new cover story for GQ, the comedian discussed his marriage, his recent work, and his future in stand-up comedy.
Rock spoke with senior special correspondent Zach Baron about the night Will Smith slapped him onstage. He described the event as a "crazy night" that is no longer the main focus of his career. "I would like to move on. I would like to.. I had a nice career before it, and I know there's a part of that that's going to follow me the rest of my life," Rock said. He emphasized that he has scripts, television shows, and a book in progress that he wants audiences to notice instead.
The interview also covered Rock's divorce from Malaak Compton-Rock after 19 years of marriage. He acknowledged his role in the split, stating, "I was not a great husband. I watched a lot of porn." He noted that he stopped watching pornography five or six years ago. Rock explained that the divorce process required him to tour twice to rebuild his finances. He also described going to therapy in an emotional state, saying he went in "crying like a bitch" to figure out what was going on in his life.
Rock addressed the current state of entertainment journalism, which he described as gossipy. He compared modern celebrity culture to a world where Andy Cohen is Norman Lear and Ryan Murphy is Steven Spielberg. "We're all about spreading false witness now. That is the world we live in," he said. He accepted that personal questions are part of his job in this environment.
Rock's new film, Misty Green, debuted in theaters via A24 last month. The movie is scheduled to stream on Netflix on November 9. He is working on smaller, tailored films and plans to direct more features. He is also considering a return to the stand-up stage after releasing six or seven specials. "As long as I can get separation, I'll do it," he said, using a football metaphor to describe finding the right creative distance. His primary goal remains writing, as he plans to wake up every day and get his thoughts on the page.
Rock's full interview is available in the GQ Men of the Year issue. It is also featured in the writer's interview series, One More Question.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
