Chris Rock made a bold Oscar claim about Jada Pinkett Smith during a new comedy special.

On Saturday (March 4), the comedian performed a historic live set for Netflix, titled Selective outragewhere he roasted Will Smith for punching him at the Oscars in March 2022. Read The independenthis review here.

Rock also used the set to make a claim about Smith’s wife, Pinkett Smith. According to Rock Girls trip the actress tried to force him to stop hosting the 2016 Academy Awards because her husband didn’t get a Best Actor nomination.

That year, Smith was tipped for a possible nod for the drama Concussionbut he ultimately failed to make the list of nominees.

“Years ago, my wife told me to quit the Oscars. I shouldn’t host because her husband wasn’t nominated for Concussion. And then he gives me a massive concussion, Rock said.

He added that Pinkett Smith told him he “should quit because Will wasn’t nominated”.

Rock ignored Pinkett Smith’s pleas, and while presenting this year’s ceremony, he made a joke at Pinkett Smith’s expense, which resurfaced after the Oscars.

Now Rock claims he came up with this joke in response to Pinkett Smith’s request.

“Here’s the thing – she starts it, I finish it, okay? That’s what happened. No one bothers her. She started this shit.”

In 2016, Pinkett Smith, along with many Hollywood stars, boycotted the 2016 ceremony due to the lack of diversity among that year’s nominations. This lack of diversity led to the #OscarsSoWhite campaign.

The independent has contacted Pinkett Smith for comment.

Rock added in the special: “I’ve been rooting for Will Smith my whole life. And now I’m watching Liberation only to see him beaten.”

Liberation is the 2021 slavery drama directed by Antonie Fuqua, in which Smith plays a man who must survive the Louisiana swamps while being chased by slave catchers and their dogs. Read our interview with Fuqua here, where he discussed his encounter with Smith right after the bang.

Elsewhere during Rock’s stand-up special, the comedian played down Meghan Markle’s claims that she experienced “racism” during her time at Buckingham Palace.

He also directly addressed Smith’s slap, saying he “took that punch” like former professional boxer Manny Paquiao.

However, fans noticed that Rock made a big mistake about Smith when he roasted the actor.

In 2022, Smith took to the Oscars stage to slam Rock after the comedy star made a joke about Pinkett Smith.

Later in the ceremony, Smith was named best actor for his role in King Richardand gave a tearful speech.

He was later banned as a member of the Academy for 10 years, and will not be allowed to attend the ceremony in 2023.

By tradition, Smith, as the reigning Best Actor winner, should have been invited to present Best Actress. It is unknown who will present the trophy in his place.

This year’s Oscar ceremony takes place on March 12.