NEW YORK — Audience members are the ones to blame for Chris Rock prematurely ending his set at billionaire Andrew Pratt’s private holiday party in New York City last weekend — but according to sources, he didn’t stomp off in a huff.

Contrary to recent reports, a source told People on Tuesday the 59-year-old comedian “didn’t storm off,” and didn’t leave because there were children in attendance.

“He did stop performing, but he wasn’t angry,” the insider said. “He simply put the mic down and walked away.”

The source explained that despite the “rule that you lock up your phone and don’t film during sets,” audience members ignored Rock’s reasonable request.

Rock has implemented a no-filming policy since at least 2017. His phone-free shows have been attributed to a means of eliminating distractions as well as preventing clips from circulating out of context online.

And Rock isn’t the only stand-up act to have such a policy. Comedians including Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle and John Mulaney have all adopted similar rules.

“All of the major comedians ask that you don’t film while they’re onstage,” said the source. “It’s just violating protocol.”

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Lisa Kudrow says she’s ‘comforted’ Matthew Perry ‘got to die happy’

Lisa Kudrow has found comfort in the death of former “Friends” co-star Matthew Perry — who was found floating face down in a hot tub last year from “the acute effects of ketamine.”

The Emmy award-winning actress opened up a bit about the tragic 2023 passing of the actor she appeared alongside on the popular NBC sitcom for 10 seasons.

“This will sound odd. I’m more comforted that he was happy the day he died,” she said during the new episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast that dropped Monday. “He got to die happy. And to me, that was a gift.”

Host Dax Shepard, a self-described recovering addict, touched upon the subject of Perry’s demise after saying he knew him “through sobriety.”

“This is where I start chewing my gum,” Kudrow responded. “This is where I need my nicotine.”

Perry, who was open about his lifelong struggles with substance abuse, was initially thought to be sober at the time of his death at age 54.

In his 2022 memoir, “ Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” the actor wrote that he “probably spent $9 million or something trying to get sober” from addictions to alcohol and opioids.

Kudrow, 61, told Shepard it was “complicated” to further discuss her relationship with Perry.

“I loved that Matthew I first met and the one at the end, because God love him, this is you, and I love you,” she said. “I understand, and so did he.”

Weeks after his shocking death, “ The Comeback” star shared a tribute on Instagram, mentioning how Perry showed her “grace and love” throughout their relationship.

She also wrote: “Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of ‘talking.’ Thank you for showing up at work when you weren’t well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me.”

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Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon

LOS ANGELES — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood's most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation.

“It’s about taking action to ensure that underserved communities have access to mental health resources,” Gomez said Tuesday at the Academy Women's Luncheon. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In 2020, Gomez started the Rare Impact Fund and her Rare Beauty line of cosmetics, pledging to donate 1% of all sales to the fund to help expand mental health services and education for young people.

“It’s about showing them that when we come together, we can make a real difference,” said Gomez, a Grammy and Emmy-nominated performer who became a Golden Globes double nominee Monday for her roles on “Emilia Pérez” and “Only Murders in the Building.”

“I know firsthand how isolation can make you feel at times,” she said. “But moments like this and talking to all these amazing women, it just reminds me that I’m not alone. We share. And when we stand together, we create a ripple effect that stretches far beyond our own lives.

Gomez was the keynote speaker at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Sarah Paulson, Regina King, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.

Gomez talked about the importance of amplifying women's voice and being proud while working on “Emilia Pérez,” which she says featured “extraordinary” women from in front and behind the camera. She said the film's director, Jacques Audiard, fostered the idea that “every single voice is heard and valued.”

“It reminded me of the power of community, supporting and lifting up each other — whether in film, music or life itself,” she said.

Many actors in attendance dressed in Chanel clothing, jewelry, shoes, makeup and accessories. The luxury fashion brand, which sponsored the event, has had a long association with film and women creatives since founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel saw an opportunity to put her designs in the movies and empower women in film.

Tuesday's event was held to bring together women from all facets of the filmmaking community. It was also a celebration of the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, a program that supports emerging women filmmakers.

Gomez paid homage to the event for highlighting women filmmakers and the efforts behind creating resources for those in the fellowship.

“It is honestly such an honor to be in this room with so many women that I love and have inspired me throughout the years,” she said. “They continue to empower me, not only in our industry, but around world.”

From combined wire services