For weeks, all eyes were on Chris Rock as he decided to stay on as the host of this year’s Oscars despite the backlash over the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. On Sunday night, fans got to see how Rock handled the controversy with monologues about the Oscars’ diversity issue and even a joke with controversial actress Stacey Dash. However, one joke in particular that has fans divided is one in which Rock blasted Jada Pinkett Smith, who famously made a video months ago announcing that she was boycotting the Oscars for not nominating any Black actors over the past two years. Well, not only were some fans angry with Rock, but it looks like singer Tyrese was angry too because he recently blasted Rock online for speaking ill of Pinkett Smith.
As previously reported, during his Oscars hosting gig, Rock criticized Pinkett Smith’s boycott, which set off a domino effect of other Black fans and stars calling for protests of the Oscars.
“Jada got mad, Jada says she’s not coming, protesting, I’m like — doesn’t she have a TV show? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited,” Rock said.
Yesterday, Tyrese went on Instagram and posted a video, criticizing Rock for taking shots at Pinkett Smith for sharing her disdain about the racism in the Academy.
“After Chris Rock done f—– my night up talking about my girl, Jada, who took the initiative to stand up and make a difference, I’m smiling again because of Leo!” Tyrese said with a yell in the video.
Tyrese continued to chastise Rock in the caption of his post, writing, “I didn’t watch — I didn’t — but online people are talking and someone posted the tasteless joke that Chris Rock did in his opening. Did you really use your STAGE to tear down and diminish one of the strongest most fearless black women IN this town as the world watched??? Jokes are just jokes right???? Not when someone is trying to affect change……… Not when someone is willing to put it ALL on the line to affect change for our daughters and sons of the future…….. Shame on you Chris Rock — Now let me run to YouTube and watch Leo’s acceptance speech………… So f—— proud of you Leo……”
Rock has yet to respond to Tyrese’s post, but we hope that if these two stars do end up having a real conversation about race, oppression and discrimination in the industry.
