Yahoo Lifestyle The Real Reason Chris Rock Abruptly Left the Stage During a Private Comedy Show: Exclusive Source
A source tells PEOPLE that reports that he stormed off in a huff are untrue, as is the report that he left because children were in the audience
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Reports that comedian Chris Rock "stormed out" of the middle of a set at billionaire Andrew Pratt's private holiday party in a huff are unfounded, an onlooker tells PEOPLE.
"He didn't storm off. He did stop performing, but he wasn't angry," the source says. "He simply put the mic down and walked away."
The reason? Guests at the New York City event were violating his no-filming policy.
"People were filming him, and there's an unspoken rule that you lock up your phone and don't film during sets," the source says. "All of the major comedians ask that you don't film while they're onstage. It's just violating protocol."
Related: Chris Rock 'Riding High' from Netflix Special: 'He Isn't Worried' About Backlash Over Jokes (Source)
Rock, who has implemented a no-filming policy since 2017, isn't the only comedian who doesn't want to be taped in the middle of a stand-up show.
During Dave Chappelle's stand-up sets, guests have to lock their phones in neoprene pouches from a company called Yondr. (Their phones can only be unlocked from the pouch through Yondr technology at the end of the set.) Other comedians, like John Mulaney and Amy Schumer, have also adopted the policy.
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Chris RockThe reason behind the phone ban varies — sometimes a comic is trying out new material, other times they are saving jokes for a special and don't want them spoiled — but Rock has previously said he prefers his sets to be phone-free so guests can live in the moment. During a set in 2017, he reportedly told the audience that it was because he didn't want clips from the show put on the internet out of context.
Comedians aren't the only entertainers leaning into the phone-free movement: Musician Jack White doesn't allow fans to film at his concerts either.
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In a statement announcing his 2018 tour, he posted, “Upon arrival at the venue, all phones and other photo or video-capturing gizmos will be secured in a Yondr pouch that will be unlocked at the end of the show. You keep your pouch-secured phone on you during the show and, if needed, can unlock your phone at any time in a designated Yondr Phone Zone located in the lobby or concourse.”
The statement added, "We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it in person."
Madonna similarly implemented a phone ban during her Madame X tour in 2020.
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