Chris Rock: 'They Said No Jussie Smollett Jokes.' Forget About That

Jussie Smollett didn't show up Saturday for the NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood, but Chris Rock did—and he didn't hold back, USA Today reports. "They said 'No Jussie Smollett jokes,'" said Rock after he came onstage to present outstanding comedy series. "What a waste of light skin. You know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair? My career would be out of here. F---king running Hollywood!" He went on, "What the hell was he thinking?"

"You're 'Jessie' from now on. You don't get the 'u' no more. That 'u' was respect. You ain't getting no respect from me!" Smollett's Wednesday flight from Chicago to Los Angeles triggered rumors he might attend the show, per ABC; after all, the Empire actor was nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, an award that went to Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams. But not everyone roasted the actor who recently ducked charges for allegedly staging an attack against himself: "I stand with Jussie," said Blackish actor Yara Shahidi when the show won outstanding comedy series, per TMZ. See Rock's roast at CNN.

(More Jussie Smollett stories.)