Chris Rock leaves billionaire’s party over kids in audience, sparks debate

Chris Rock ended his comedy set early at Anthony Pratt's party, citing children in the audience as the reason.

Chris Rock made headlines this weekend after abruptly ending his surprise comedy set at billionaire Anthony Pratt's holiday party. Sources reveal that the comedian, 59, left the stage upon noticing children in the audience, which conflicted with his typically adult-oriented material.

"Chris did leave the stage that night," an insider confirmed. "His routine was not suitable for children. Additionally, the presence of people filming, despite prior agreements, contributed to his decision to cut the performance short."

The event, held at the Mandarin Oriental and attended by Australia’s elite, saw Rock perform only briefly before exiting. Witnesses described his departure as abrupt, though sources close to Rock clarified that he left to avoid exposing children to inappropriate content.

Rock’s comedy is known for its explicit language and mature themes. His recent Netflix special, Selective Outrage, carried a disclaimer warning viewers of its adult content. During the set, Rock opened with a political joke but ended shortly after addressing the audience.

The incident follows heightened scrutiny of Rock’s comedic approach, which often divides audiences. Most recently, a resurfaced joke from the 2003 VMAs about Sean "Diddy" Combs drew criticism amid new allegations against the music mogul.

Rock’s departure from Pratt’s party highlights the challenges comedians face balancing their art with audience expectations. Other performers at the event included comedian Wali Collins and country singer Keith Urban.

Pratt, the executive chairman of Pratt Industries, known for his lavish events, has not publicly commented on the incident.