Chris Rock Makes First Appearance at “Vanity Fair ”Oscars Afterparty Since Will Smith Slap at the Academy Awards

The comedian attended the 'Vanity Fair' Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday, March 2

Chris Rock has returned to the Oscars social scene after skipping one of the biggest events held in Beverly Hills, each year since the Will Smith slapping incident at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022.

On Sunday, March 2, the comedian, 60, attended the Vanity Fair Oscars Party hosted by the magazine’s editor-in-chief Radhika Jones at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Rock looked polished in a black tuxedo paired with a white shirt and smart black shoes as he posed for photos alongside his youngest daughter Zahra Rock. He shares daughters - Zahra, 20, and Lola Simone Rock, 22 - with ex-wife Malaak Compton-Rock.

During the exclusive event, Rock was spotted talking to David Spade, Mick Jagger and Timothée Chalamet before posing for photos with Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos as well as Sacha Baron Cohen and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage Zahra Rock and Chris Rock at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Zahra Rock and Chris Rock at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Related: Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock in the Face at 2022 Oscars After Rock Jokes About Jada Pinkett's Hair

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Will Smith, 56, was noticeably absent from the star-studded party, having been banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Back in 2022, the Men in Black actor attended the Vanity Fair Oscars post-ceremony extravaganza despite having earlier struck Rock for joking, "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see ya."

Stefanie Keenan/VF25/WireImage Chris Rock attend the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California

Stefanie Keenan/VF25/WireImage

Chris Rock attend the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California

Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 53, - who has alopecia — was visibly unimpressed by the joke before Smith — who was up for Best Actor at the ceremony —  approached the stage to slap Rock.

"Keep my wife's name out your f------ mouth!" Smith yelled after returning to his seat.

Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty  Chris Rock and Will Smith at the 94th Academy Awards

Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty

Chris Rock and Will Smith at the 94th Academy Awards

Months later during a comedy set at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., Rock revealed he had declined an offer to host the Oscars 2023.

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As previously reported, he compared returning to the Academy Awards as similar to going back to a crime scene.

Rock continued to stay clear of Oscar events in the years after the slap except for his attendance at a viewing party in Miami for the 95th Academy Awards.

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Kevin Mazur/VF25/WireImage Chris Rock and Timothee Chalamet at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Kevin Mazur/VF25/WireImage

Chris Rock and Timothee Chalamet at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Related: A History of Will Smith and Chris Rock's Relationship Through the Years

He appeared relaxed and in good spirits at this year’s Vanity Fair party, which came just weeks after he celebrated his milestone birthday with celebrity friends in New York.

Madonna, Bill Murray, Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, were spotted at the celebration alongside Jerry Seinfeld and wife Jessica Seinfeld.

The group went to the Crane Club steak house on Saturday, Feb. 15, around a week after Rock's Feb. 7 birthday.

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