People close to Jada Pinkett Smith have claimed that Chris Rock is “obsessed” with the actor as their long-running feud continues.
A source close to Pinkett Smith, 51, has spoken to PEOPLE – suggesting the rock star can’t be left alone.
This comes after Rock, 58, spoke about the actor on his recent live Netflix special Selective Outrage.
The special, which was filmed in Pinkett Smith’s hometown of Baltimore, sees the comedian discussing the infamous Oscars incident where Pinkett Smith’s husband Will Smith slapped the comedian after she joked about him during the 2022 ceremony’s presentation. Had given.
Actor Will Smith was subsequently banned from all Academy events for 10 years.
The source said: “Jada has no part in any of this except to harass her. Chris is obsessed with her and this has been going on for almost 30 years.
Look where she chose to film her Netflix special. His hometown [of Baltimore]. hooked.”
On the show, Rock claims that Pinkett Smith asked him not to host the Oscars after her husband was snubbed for his performance in 2015’s Concussion.
He added: “Years ago, his wife said I should quit the Oscars. I shouldn’t host it because her man wasn’t nominated for Concussion. And then he gives me a f***ing shake.
The source disputed this, claiming: “She never asked Chris to host. She publicly stated in a Facebook post that Chris would be a great Oscars host and perfect for the job.
Representatives for Chris Rock have been contacted for comment.
Academy chief executive Bill Kramer said a “crisis team” had been put in place to ensure the smooth running of this year’s event.
Mr. Kramer said the team had run “multiple scenarios” ahead of the 95th Academy Awards, which are due to take place on March 12 and will be hosted by US comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
In an interview with Time magazine, Kramer was asked whether any measures had been taken to reduce “potential surprises” at this year’s awards.
“Absolutely, and that’s why you want someone like Jimmy (Kimmel) on stage who is used to dealing with live TV: Things don’t always go as planned,” he told TIME.
“So you have a host who can really pivot and manage those moments.
“But we have a full crisis team, something we’ve never had before, and lots of plans.
“We’ve run a number of scenarios. So it’s our hope that we’ll be prepared for anything that we can’t anticipate right now but we’re planning in case it happens.
Earlier this month, Academy President Janet Yang said the organization’s response to the “unprecedented” Smith incident was “inadequate.”
Speaking at the annual Oscar nominees luncheon, Ms Yang said the Academy had learned to be “completely transparent and accountable in our actions”.
“Especially in times of crisis we must act swiftly and compassionately and decisively for ourselves and for our industry,” she said.
“You can and should expect less from us to get ahead.”
Meanwhile, the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams has defended Smith’s actions.
Smith portrayed Richard Williams in the biopic film King Richard, which won him the Best Actor Oscar the previous year.
Mr. Williams, who has recently recovered from a series of health problems, shared his support for Smith on Good Morning Britain, saying he was “not sorry” for Rock.
The 81-year-old said: “I think he did the best job he should have done, but I will never hate Mr. Smith. In fact, I admire Mr. Smith.”
Asked if he saw any wrongdoing in what happened at the Oscars, Williams said: “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
He also said: “It’s time for everyone to forgive Will Smith.”