Why Did Chris Rock and Malaak Compton-Rock Divorce?

June 2024 · 3 minute read

Comedian Chris Rock and his long-time partner, Malaak Compton-Rock, split after almost two decades of marriage due to several ups and downs. He later opened up about the divorce and revealed that he behaved badly and thought he could get away with it.

On June 1, 2022, Jada Pinkett Smith released another episode of the "Red Table Talk," where she addressed alopecia issues— a condition that causes hair loss. Alopecia became a focus topic after the incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

Before she focused on alopecia, Jada Pinkett Smith briefly addressed the Oscars slap incident. Will Smith took to the stage at the Oscars and slapped Chris Rock after Chris Rock made a joke about her close-cropped haircut.

Chris Rock and Malaak Rock at the 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 5, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

In the video, Jada said her deepest hope was that Will and Chris, who are two intelligent, capable men, would have an opportunity to heal, talk out their differences, and reconcile because we needed them with the state of the world today.

She went on to say that everyone needed one another more than ever. Jada further addressed her relationship status with Will and confirmed that they would continue to figure out life together as they had done for the last 28 years.

Chris Rock at the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

WHY DID CHRIS ROCK'S MARRIAGE END?

Chris Rock rose to prominence as a cast member of the iconic comedy series Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. He met his wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, after quitting the program in 1993. The couple married in 1996 and were divorced in 2016.

They welcomed their first daughter, Lola Simone Rock, in 2002 and their second daughter, Zahra Savannah Rock, in 2004. They also had a young South African girl named Ntombi living with them throughout their marriage.

In December 2015, Malaak chose to go through the adoption procedure on her own as the couple divorced in December 2014. Malaak said:

"After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways. Being fortunate enough to lead a life of service by working with those most vulnerable makes me well aware of life's blessings, even when faced with difficulties."

Chris Rock with his daughters Zahra Savannah Rock and Lola Simone Rock on June 19, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Chris later opened up about their divorce during a comedy show. He said while he was married, he cheated on his wife with various women. Chris thought he could get away with misbehaving because he was a rich and famous husband.

However, he knew that his mindset was wrong, and he only had himself to blame. Chris also admitted that he was not a good husband a lot of the time.

Chris Rock and Megalyn Echikunwoke at the 68th Emmy Awards on September 18, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

IS CHRIS ROCK DATING SOMEONE NOW?

While Chris was still finalizing his divorce, he started dating Megalyn Echikunwoke, and they made their relationship public when they attended Clive Davis's 40th annual pre-Grammy Awards in February 2016.

They dated for four years before quietly breaking up in 2020. A source said Chris was not ready to settle down again after going through a painful divorce finalized in 2016 and after fighting to have custody of his kids.

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