Joy Onuorah

Actor and standup comedian, Chris Rock, is likely to host the 2023 Oscars despite controversial stage slap by Hollywood actor, Will Smith.

ABC Network president, and partners with the Academy Awards ceremony, Craig Erwich, recently said that the streaming platform is very open to the comedian coming back to host the 2023 Oscars, despite the drama that went down during this year’s edition.

Smith had slapped Rock for joking about the movie ‘G.I. Jane’, touching on his wife, Jada Pinkett’s hair loss (alopecia) condition.

However, the President of the network has said that despite the intense controversy that followed the Oscars slap, the network is fully open to Chris Rock hosting next year’s awards show.

Meanwhile, there are claims that this decision is partly influenced by  how Chris handled the situation despite being assaulted live on stage.

Erwich said:

“My assessment of the Oscars was that it was really a successful year for the show. Obviously there was a lot of controversy, which overshadowed a lot of the positive things about the show, but I was really happy with the program. Even before that very unfortunate moment, the show started off up year over year, and we came back in a big way.”

“But I was really happy with the program. Even before that very unfortunate moment, the show started off year over year, and we came back in a big way.”

“It was the biggest bounce-back of any award show this season. If you look at what they were trying to do, which is really bring entertainment back to the program, they had three amazing hosts, clips, and incredible performances.” 

“I thought it was a great way for the show to reclaim its place on the mantle. There are always things to learn and we’ll endeavor to do even better next year.”

Sadly, Smith was at the receiving end of the backlash as has been banned from the Academy for ten years.