Even though he was told not to bring it up, Chris Rock ignored the producers and slammed Jussie Smollett on the NAACP awards show Saturday night. Smollett was up for an award, but decided not to show up, despite support from other African American actors.
“They said ‘No Jussie Smollett jokes,’ ” said Rock. “What a waste of light skin. Do you know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair? My career would be out of here! I’d be running Hollywood.”
“What the hell was he thinking? You’re ‘Jessie’ from now on,” Rock continued, “You don’t get the ‘u’ no more. That ‘u’ was respect. You ain’t getting no respect from me!”
The audience roared with laughter, although another presenter announced she “stands with Jussie” right after Rock’s appearance on stage.
We just saw this generational divide in real time. Chris Rock got on stage and clowned Jussie Smollett then Yara Shahidi got on stage and said “I stand with Jussie.”
The OGs believe no one or no joke is off limits.
New generation get offended and stand w ppl even in the wrong.
— Phella (@PhellaDaFam) March 31, 2019
Watch the clip below.
Chris Rock ignores NAACP Image Awards's embargo on Jussie Smollett jokes: pic.twitter.com/hSxFvpVaBD
— Eddie Zipperer (@EddieZipperer) March 31, 2019