Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Just call Herbie Hancock Switzerland in theWill Smith-Chris Rockdrama.
“It’s a very unfortunate situation, you know? I mean, they’re both kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place,” the 81-year-old told PEOPLE exclusively on Friday at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala in Las Vegas. “I don’t want to be in the middle of that.”
Chris Rock; Will Smith.Getty (2)
The famed composer has not reached out to either of his friends in the aftermath ofthe slap-heard-round-the-world, which occurred after Rock made a joke aboutJada Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle (she has alopecia).
On one hand, Hancock understands Smith’s reaction, but he also thinks there were alternative options.
RELATED VIDEO: Jada Pinkett Smith Breaks Silence AfterWill SmithApologizes to Chris Rock
“That’s a hard decision to make, you know, because that’s Will’s wife. The decision that you make is your decision. There’s not like one path to take there. There was several,” Hancock conveyed. “I mean, he could have just walked out, but he made that choice and I guess he’s gonna have to live with the consequences.”
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Despite winning best actor for his role inKing Richardat the 2022 Oscars, Smith has sinceresigned from the Academy.
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Hancock, though, vowed to be there for both men, all while refusing to back either as right or wrong.
“They’re both friends,” he said, “so I’m not gonna play any favorites.”
source: people.com
