Two-time Oscar host and comedian Chris Rock has refused to host the Golden Globe Awards, just a year after he was infamously slapped by Will Smith on stage. The Globe nominations were announced on Monday morning, but the host has not been confirmed yet.
While a number of celebrities have been approached to host the awards, at least four of them have declined the offer so far, CNN reported. Chris Rock has refused to host the January 7 ceremony without giving any reasons, sources said.
Chris Rock, Ali Wong, ‘Smartless’ Hosts Refuse To Host The Globes
Chris Rock’s refusal of the offer was confirmed by a source with knowledge of the conversation between Chriss Rock and the ceremony authorities. His representatives have also declined to comment on the matter.
Rock had hosted the Golden Globes last year, but later controversy erupted when Will Smith climbed up the Oscar stage and slapped Rock for telling a joke referring to his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia. It is predicted that Rock will be a nominee for the new category of best performance in stand-up comedy on television for his Netflix special, ‘Chris Rock: Selective Outrage‘.
The Globes had also reportedly approached the Netflix series ‘Beef‘ fame Ali Wong, who also declined the offer. More on the list of these celebrities are Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman – the co-hosts of the podcast ‘SmartLess‘. Their representatives have also refused to comment as per reports.
This could have been the first time that the awards would be hosted by three people since 1993, had the trio accepted the offer. In 1993 Louis Gossett Jr., Leslie Nielsen and Jane Seymour had co-hosted the Globes ceremony.
In case you missed it: Chris Rock Roasts Will Smith And Jada Pinkett Smith For Discussing Infidelity Publicly
The Golden Globes And Its Tainted Glory
The show organizers no have some hope from Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who co-hosted the Globes four times to critical acclaim. However, a source close to the duo told CNN that they are likely to decline the offer too.
The Globes are set to be a star-studded affair with appearances by likely nominees Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro, Martin Scorsese, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Meryl Streep, Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson.
Once a highly celebrated event, the Globes have gotten its glory tainted after the 2021 scandal. A Los Angeles Times report had busted the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s lack of Black members. The report also raised concerns about ethical issues related to the influence of its then-roster of 87 international journalists.
This invited strong criticism while a group of publicists urged the addressing of discriminatory behavior, unprofessionalism, ethical impropriety, and alleged financial corruption. NBC decided not to air the broadcast in 2022 after many boycotted it.
The Golden Globes then underwent a change in ownership, with Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge Industries taking over the show.
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