Chris Rock exposes LA's dark underbelly that people pretend doesn't exist

Chris Rock this week said that Hollywood exposes a dark "underbelly" in Los Angeles that people want to pretend doesnt exist.

"L.A. is a complicated place, man," the comedian said in an interview with Variety that was published on Tuesday. "Fames a complicated thing. Ive seen the switch in my lifetime."

The 61-year-old said that people who came to Hollywood used to want to be "great — a great singer, great actor, great comedian. Now its just fame, and the greatness is almost assumed."

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"I mean, youre always gonna be outed at some point if you dont have the goods," he continued. "But L.A. is the mecca of that. It can be beautiful. Its got the best weather in the world. But it also attracts an underbelly that people want to pretend doesnt exist."

Rock said he has a home in both New York and Los Angeles, adding that loves "parts" of the West Coast city.

The comedian jokes that he "winters" in California.

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The "Everybody Hates Chris" star is directing an indie right now, "Misty Green," about a has-been actress living in Los Angeles whos now broke.

Rock said that movie is "a lot of its about L.A. L.A. has got very wonky priorities. Theres a real estate office on the same street as The Ivy on Robertson, and in the window, there are houses for $30-$40 million. In the window. But theres a homeless guy sleeping right outside. The movie is about that crazy dichotomy."

Rock also reflected on at the Academy Awards in 2022 while he was presenting.

"I wish nothing would have happened," he said of incident in which Smith, who went on to win best actor right after, told Rock, "Keep my wife's name out your f-----g mouth!" after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.

"Its a crazy world," Rock continued to Variety. "We walk by homeless people. Theres all sorts of s--t going on right now. Me having a bad day is not the biggest — its not that important."

Rock added that he also wouldnt return to the Oscars unless he was nominated.

"Im not getting nominated," he said. "The only way Ill go back is if Im nominated, and Im not getting nominated. And thats OK. Well deal with that if it happens. Like, lets manage expectations."