Will Smith is set to return to a major awards show for the first time, three years after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.
The legendary rapper and actor will be a presenter at the Grammys on Sunday (February 2). He will be joined in those duties by a ton of stars, including Cardi B, SZA and Queen Latifah.
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Doechii, Janelle Monáe and Stevie Wonder are scheduled to be among the performers.
Smith is reportedly set to introduce a tribute to Quincy Jones, who died last November at 91.
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Jones was an executive producer on Smith’s star-making sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Smith frequently — including in his memoir — shared the story of auditioning for the show at Jones’ house.
Even though he’s now returning to awards shows, Will Smith does not appear to have gotten over the Chris Rock joke about Jada Pinkett Smith that led to “the slap,” if a report last month from In Touch Weekly is to be believed.
According to In Touch Weekly‘s “source,” Will “will never forgive Chris for ruining his life, even though he’s managed to pick up the pieces in the last year or so.”
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They added: “[H]e still hates the guy and his smug attitude. Chris isn’t the victim here, not in Will’s opinion. A lot of people would agree with Will and think what’s happening to Chris is karma for refusing to speak to Will or accept his apology.”
The insider notes that Chris is still feeling a way too, however: “From Chris’ end, he’s still haunted by what happened on that Oscars stage. He suffers from PTSD. Like Will, he’s never recovered from that slap.”
As for a potential reunion, the source stated: “Others feel the best thing would be for these two egomaniacs to come together and hug it out, but they’re too proud.”
Last June, Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on the incident via his YouTube channel amid news of Bad Boys: Ride or Die attaining blockbuster status at the box office.
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While he has supported Will Smith since the ordeal, the TV personality wants to see Will “sit down and talk to the Black community” about the moment, as he feels Rock “will never get over that, ever” and is “damaged” because of it.
“We know you wouldn’t have smacked Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher, Bill Burr or a host of others,” Smith said. “We know you wouldn’t have done that. No apology is necessary. I’m just saying a lot of folks ain’t get over that. A lot of folks find it hard to just go to the movies to watch you. I’m one of those people.”
