Chris Rock Takes on Diversity Controversy in 2016 Oscars Opening Monologue, Twitter Reacts
Chris Rock returned tonight (February 28) as the host of this year's Oscars ceremony — and luckily, he didn't hold back at all.
After his Academy Awards hosting debut in 2005, Chris looked entirely confident onstage for his highly anticipated opening monologue, taking several shots at the #OscarsSoWhite diversity controversy, protests, sexism — and yes, even some light Jada Pinkett-Smith shade.
"Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited!" he said.
"If you want black people every year at the Oscars, just have black categories, like...Best Black Friend. And the winner for the 18th year in a row is: Wanda Sykes!"
He also quipped about the award-winning performances of black actors: "Jamie Foxx was so good in Ray that they went to the hospital and unplugged the real Ray Charles."
"You want diversity? We got diversity! Please welcome Emily Blunt, and somebody whiter...Charlize Theron," he joked just before wrapping up his opener.
Across the board, the Twittersphere raved. See just some of the first reactions below:
Chris shared his progress on Twitter earlier this afternoon. "Cutting the fat off my monologue #oscars," he tweeted.
Watch his monologue above.
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