It's been a year since "The Slap the World Heard." The 2022 Oscars, when Will Smith gave presenter Chris Rock a slap on the wrist after making a G.I. Jane joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. It was, to say the least, one of the most controversial moments of the Oscars and will probably never be forgotten. Now that a year has passed since then, we are left to wonder who, if anyone, from the incident will attend the 2023 Oscars.

We know that Smith will not attend this year's Oscars, but Locke's attendance is still up in the air. Last August, at a stand-up comedy show in Phoenix, Rock admitted that the Academy had asked him to host this year's ceremony, but he declined the invitation. According to the Arizona Republic (opens in new tab), Rock compared returning to host the Academy Awards to returning to a crime scene. Instead, Jimmy Kimmel will host for the third time, but is there any chance that Locke will appear as a guest?

It seems unlikely. According to The Daily Beast, Rock is unlikely to appear at the awards ceremony; in February, the magazine reported that Rock was dining solo at La Esquina in New York City when he asked about attending this year's Academy Awards. He said he would not be going to Los Angeles and would likely stay on the East Coast, far from the stage where he was slapped.

While Rock will miss Hollywood's biggest night, the comedian has not shied away from talking about the infamous 2022 incident. In his newly released Netflix special Selective Outrage, Rock closed out his stand-up show with a joke about slapping. You all know that I was slapped by Serge Smith," Locke said. It still hurts; 'Summertime' is still ringing in my ears. But I'm not a victim. I got hit like Pacquiao."

Then, after a few days, he said, "I was hit like Pacquiao.

Locke then accused Smith of "selective outrage" and referred to the affair between Jada Pinkett Smith and August Alsina. 'I love Will Smith,' he said. I've always supported Will Smith. ...... Now I watch 'Emancipation' just to see him get beat up."