Oscars 2025: Chris Rock Reveals If He’d Host Again 3 Years After Will Smith Slap

Oscars 2025: Chris Rock Reveals if He’d Host Oscars Again After Will Smith Slap (Exclusive)

Chris Rock is all about forgiving and forgetting.

It’s been three years since the comedian hosted the Oscars and, infamously, was slapped onstage by Will Smith over a joke he made about Will’s now-estranged wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

But as for whether Chris would ever return as host, he coyly told E! News at the annual Vanity Fair Oscars Party, “You never know.”

“This is what I would say, the most miserable people on earth are people that can’t forgive,” he continued. “And not just people, you have to forgive yourself sometimes. So, hey, you never know.”

The Madagascar alum also had a sage reply as to whether he’s fully moved on from the now-infamous incident, which ultimately led to Will receiving a 10-year ban from Academy events and his later public apology to Chris.

“I live in forgiveness,” Chris noted. “True love starts at forgiveness.” (For more from the after-party, tune into E! News tonight, Mar. 3 at 11p.m.)

This year, the Oscars were helmed by late-night host Conan O’Brien, who delivered a seamless show full of lightly-barbed quips, a musical number promising not to waste time—only to last almost two minutes—and a surprising number of Dune-inspired sand worms.

And his fellow Saturday Night Live alum was fully on board with the hosting performance, as Chris gushed, “I thought it was amazing, incredible. They should let him host every year.”

Phillip Faraone/VF25/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Among Conan’s gags throughout the show was a hilarious exchange with Adam Sandler, in which he called out the Happy Gilmore star for arriving in gym shorts and a sweatshirt, as well as revealing his two celebrity hall passes: Scarlett Johansson and 95-year-old June Squibb, who starred in 2024’s Thelma.

And, in an especially sweet move, Conan made sure there were snack boxes under the chair for every celebrity (or their seat filler).

The boxes—which, according to one user on social media, contained a bottle of water and a pretzel—also included a hand-written note from the Conan host.

Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images

“Dear Star/Seat filler, I hope you enjoy these complimentary snacks,” the letter read, as seen in a photo obtained by E! News. He then quipped, “I tried my best to include a gummy but Disney said that was a ‘hard pass.’ Have a great night, Conan.”

For more moments you didn’t see on camera at the 2025 Oscars, keep reading.

–Reporting by Sharon Carpenter

Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images; Jay L. Clendenin/Shutterstock

Adrien Brody and Halle Berry Have an Amorous Red Carpet Reunion

Twenty-two years after Adrien Brody so memorably thanked presenter Halle Berry when he won his first Best Actor statue for The Pianist, he returned as a nominee for The Brutalist and she was prepared.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Wicked’s Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Congratulate Each Other on a Job Well Done

No question, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are changed for good after starring in Wicked. The costars opened the 2025 Oscars with a medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, “Home” from The Wiz and their own film’s biggest banger, “Defying Gravity.”

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Demi Moore & Whoopi Goldberg Have a Ghost Reunion

“Molly, you in danger, girl!” The Ghost co-stars reunite on the red carpet at the 2025 Academy Awards.

E! News

Host Conan O’Brien’s Gift for the Real VIPs

Stars and the ever-important attendees who served as seat fillers when the A-listers got up to go do stuff were treated to these gifts from host Conan O’Brien.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Sneak a Kiss

Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet hasn’t been coy about who his main squeeze is like some young actors, bringing Kylie Jenner as his date to the 2025 Oscars.

Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

Colman Domingo Keeps the Party Going

Best Actor nominee Colman Domingo starred in Sing Sing and started a dance-dance revolution during a commercial break, encouraging the audience to keep it moving.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Best Supporting Actor Winner Kieran Culkin Enjoys His Victory With Robert Downey Jr.

Noting in his Best Supporting Actor speech that the honor meant a particular lot coming from presenter Robert Downey Jr., A Real Pain star Kieran Culkin enjoyed his moment with last year’s winner backstage.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Meg Ryan and Best Actress Nominee Demi Moore Have an Emotional Moment

Demi Moore, a first-time Oscar nominee for The Substance, was relishing her moment with fellow veteran star Meg Ryan earlier in the evening.

Alas, Moore’s awards season accolades stopped short of Oscar night, Anora’s Mikey Madison pulling off the Best Actress upset.

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2025 Best Actor Nominees, Assemble!

Best Actor nominees Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Adrien Brody, Ralph Fiennes and Sebastian Stan proved it’s all love, even among competitors in the same category.

Richard Harbaugh/The Academy via Getty Images

Samuel L. Jackson and Selena Gomez Snap a Selfie

Past nominee Samuel L. Jackson and Emilia Pérez star Selena Gomez, paired to present Oscars for Best Documentary Short and Documentary Feature, made sure to capture the moment for posterity.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Best Supporting Actress Winner Zoe Saldaña Tunes in Backstage

Emilia Pérez star Zoe Saldaña, waiting backstage to present the Oscar for cinematography, caught Sterling K. Brown and Ana de Armas presenting Best Live Action Short to I’m Not a Robot.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Lisa Steals a Quiet Moment Backstage

Before Lisa performed “Live and Let Die” as part of a tribute to the James Bond franchise and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the Blackpink artist and White Lotus star stopped to collect herself backstage.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Margaret Qualley, Elle Fanning Catch Up Backstage

The Substance’s Margaret Qualley and A Complete Unknown’s Elle Fanning weren’t among the nominees but producers found meaty roles for both: Qualley made a slinks surprise appearance in the evening’s James Bond tribute as a dancer, while Fanning helped present Best Costume Design to Wicked’s Paul Tazewell.

Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

What Did Kieran Culkin Just Tell Ariana Grande?

Ariana Grande, in attendance with Wicked costar and real-life love Ethan Slater, appears to have had her mind blown—but only her boyfriend and Kieran Culkin know for sure.

Jay L. Clendenin/Shutterstock

Halle Berry & Michelle Yeoh

The two Oscar winners and former Bond girls pose for pics together as they arrive for the ceremony.

Al Seib/The Academy via Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey Celebrates Quincy Jones With Queen Latifah

Entertainment royalty Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah joined forces to help honor the late, great Quincy Jones.

Disney/Scott Kirkland

Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana & Kieran Culkin

Cheers! The newly-minted Oscar winners tap their trophies in celebration.

Richard Harbaugh/The Academy via Getty Images

Past Winners Cillian Murphy and Emma Stone Meet Again

Returning to pay it forward, 2024’s Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy and Best Actress Emma Stone had a word up before heading out to present to this year’s respective winners, Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison.

John Shearer/97th Oscars/The Academy via Getty Images

Best Actress Winner Mikey Madison Can’t Stop Smiling

Anora star Mikey Madison flashed the written proof along with her Best Actress Oscar after her surprise win.

Richard Harbaugh/The Academy via Getty Images

Adrien Brody Thinks Billy Crystal Looks Marvelous, Darling

Best Actor winner Brody had an affectionate greeting for revered nine-time Oscars host Billy Crystal, who reunited with When Harry Met Sally costar Meg Ryan to present Best Picture to Anora.

Stefanie Keenan/VF25/WireImage for Vanity Fair

Chrissy Teigen, Selma Blair & Scout

The Cruel Intentions actress’ handsome service dog stole everyone’s hearts at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

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