The Real Reason Chris Rock Abruptly Left the Stage During a Private Comedy Show: Exclusive Source

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Jason Mendez/Getty

Jason Mendez/Getty

Reports that comedianChris Rock"stormed out" of the middle of a set at billionaire Andrew Pratt’s private holiday party in a huff are unfounded, an onlooker tells PEOPLE.

“He didn’t storm off. He did stop performing, but he wasn’t angry,” the source says. “He simply put the mic down and walked away.”

The reason? Guests at the New York City event were violating his no-filming policy.

“People were filming him, and there’s an unspoken rule that you lock up your phone and don’t film during sets,” the source says. “All of the major comedians ask that you don’t film while they’re onstage. It’s just violating protocol.”

Rock, who has implemented a no-filming policy since 2017, isn’t the only comedian who doesn’t want to be taped in the middle of a stand-up show.

DuringDave Chappelle’sstand-up sets, guests have to lock their phones in neoprene pouches from a company calledYondr.(Their phones can only be unlocked from the pouch through Yondr technology at the end of the set.) Other comedians, likeJohn MulaneyandAmy Schumer,have also adopted the policy.

Chris Rock.Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

The reason behind the phone ban varies — sometimes a comic is trying out new material, other times they are saving jokes for a special and don’t want them spoiled — but Rock has previously said he prefers his sets to be phone-free so guests can live in the moment. During a set in 2017, he reportedly told the audience that it was because he didn’t want clips from the show put on the internet out of context.

Comedians aren’t the only entertainers leaning into the phone-free movement: Musician Jack White doesn’t allow fans to film at his concerts either.

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The statement added, “We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it in person.”

Madonna similarly implemented a phone ban during herMadame Xtour in 2020.

source: people.com