Chris Rock left attendees stunned at billionaire Anthony Pratt’s exclusive holiday party when he abruptly ended his comedy set and stormed off the stage in frustration.
According to reports, Rock was mid-performance, riffing on political topics, when he “saw something the audience did not,” which seemingly triggered his sudden departure without any explanation.
This incident follows recent criticism directed at Rock after an old joke about Sean “Diddy” Combs teaching kids “wrong from wronger” resurfaced online, sparking backlash.
The comedian had been invited to perform a special set at the VIP-studded Christmas event hosted by Pratt, the executive chairman of Pratt Industries, in Australia. However, sources say his act was cut short due to frustrations over being recorded.
Cindy Adams, a columnist for the New York Post, reported that Rock became visibly upset upon noticing something in the audience, allegedly yelling about not wanting to be taped or recorded. “He saw something the audience didn’t, and it clearly upset him,” Adams noted.
Witnesses described Rock storming out of the venue, angrily weaving through the crowd to reach the exit. “He didn’t complain or explain, just left forcefully and didn’t return,” Adams added.
This episode recalls another tense moment in Rock’s career: the infamous altercation with Will Smith at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022. At the Oscars, Smith struck Rock on stage after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, which is attributed to her alopecia diagnosis. The incident led to Smith being banned from the Oscars for 10 years, though he later issued a public apology.
Despite recent controversies, Rock continues to stay in the spotlight. He’s set to host the December 14 episode of Saturday Night Live, marking his fourth time hosting the show where he was a cast member from 1990 to 1993.
In a YouTube video addressing the Oscars slap, Smith expressed regret over his actions, stating, “There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave at that moment… or the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults.”
As Rock remains a prominent figure in comedy, his recent abrupt exit and ongoing projects keep him firmly in the public eye.
