Chris Rock didn’t mince words when he discussed Jussie Smollett during the 50th Annual NAACP Image Awards Saturday night.
Chris Rock didn’t mince words when he discussed Jussie Smollett during the NAACP Image Awards Saturday night.
"What a waste of light skin. You know? You know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair? My career would be outta here! F****** running Hollywood!” Rock joked about the scandal.
This is the fourth consecutive year Smollett was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in "Empire."
This time, he didn't win, and he didn't show up.
"What the hell was he thinking? From now on — you're Jessie! You're Jessie from now on. You don't even get the 'u' no more. That 'u' is respect you don't get no respect from me," Rock quipped.
Actor Sean Hayes also took a jab at Smollett at the GLAAD Awards Thursday night.
"I've been getting in shape for tonight with the Jussie Smolleyt workout. You hire two trainers and sweat eight weeks. Wipes out all your belly fat and credibility."
Both were referring to Smollett’s now infamous case.
It all began in January, when the "Empire" actor told authorities he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack.
Police accused him of paying two men to stage the attack. After an investigation, he was indicted on 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct. Last week at a court appearance, those charges were dropped.
All the while, Smollett has maintained his innocence.
"I have been truthful and consistent on every level since day one. I would not be my mother's son if I was capable of one drop of what I've been accused of," he told reporters last week.
While some have criticized Smollett in the case, he still has the support of many, including producer Lena Waithe, who stuck up for him at the NAACP Awards.
"Jussie is a friend. I believe him, I stand with him, he's my brother,” she told Variety at the event. "Police ain't always been protecting brown people. Or brown and queer people. They could do a better job of that. but look, I don't always believe police I tend to believe black people first."
Yara Shahidi also made a terse show of support for the fellow actor at the ceremony, saying simply, “I stand with Jussie.”
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