Dave Chappelle supports Will Smith's return despite criticism of Oscar slap

Dave Chappelle supported Will Smith’s comeback after being slapped at the Academy Awards – less than two months after he was called “just as ugly as the rest of us” in the aftermath of the incident.

The comedian, 49, proudly sided with the Academy Award-winning actor, 54, at a preview of his upcoming movie Emancipation on Monday — despite being criticized for slapping Chris Rock, 57, at the 2021 party.

Chappelle and Smith joined I love so Rihanna And the A $ AP RockyAnd the Movie star Tyler Perry and more for fun photos.

Smith is trying to revive his career with his return with his first major project since he shocked Oscars viewers earlier this year when he slapped Rock on stage after he made an ill-advised joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Forgive everything? Dave Chappelle (center) supported Will Smith’s comeback after being slapped at the Oscars – less than two months after he was called ‘just as ugly as the rest of us’ in the aftermath of the incident

Back in September, Rock and Chappelle poked fun at Smith on the opening night of their UK tour.

‘He’s made an impression of a perfectionist for 30 years,’ said Dave, ‘removing his mask and showing us that he’s as ugly as the rest of us.

“Whatever the consequences…I hope he never wears his mask again, letting his true face breathe. I see myself in both men.”

Chris previously declared, “Mother beats me up for a bulls joke, the cutest joke I’ve ever said.”

Shock moment: Smith is trying to revive his career with his return with his first major project since he shocked Oscars viewers earlier this year when he slapped a rocker on stage

Friends again: The comedian, 49, stood proudly with the Academy Award-winning actor, 54, at a preview of his upcoming movie Emancipation on Monday — despite being criticized for slapping Chris Rock, 57, at the 2021 gala.

Independence Day star Smith’s slap on stage caused shockwaves around the world, with the star later saying he made a rant about his wife’s lack of hair, which he shaved off to cover up her hair loss.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Oscars, Smith won Best Actor for his role as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard.

Also joining the celebration was Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, along with music producer Corey Smyth and Will’s longtime friend Fawn Boardley, who also served as style director for him and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 51, who did not appear. to attend the show.

The film seemed to spark some deep conversations among the group, with Chappelle having to stand with his back on the screen while talking to other audience members in a follow-up photo.

Smith’s latest film is a historical thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which the Fresh Prince actor stars a enslaved man named Peter who escapes from a Louisiana plantation and challenges treacherous lands and slave hunters to get north to the Union Territory, where he is. Able to join the fight against the Confederacy.

The film is inspired by the life of a former slave immortalized in harrowing photographs of his back, which was covered in keloid scars in a spider web of recurring skin.

Oh dear: In September, Rock and Chappelle parodied a smack on Smith on the opening night of their UK tour. “He made the impression of a perfect person for 30 years, took off his mask and showed us that he is just as ugly as the rest of us,” said Dave.

Candid: Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, recently revealed that she suffers from alopecia areata and has had her head shaved. Rock joked during his hosting party that she looks like J.I. Jin.

History: Smith’s latest film is a historical thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which the New Prince actor stars an enslaved man named Peter who escapes from a Louisiana farm.

After the horrific slap, diverse It originally reported that Apple was planning to delay the film until 2023 to let the controversy ebbed.

However, it is now set for a December 2 release in cinemas, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+ on December 9.

The streaming service may still be scrapping its plans for an awards season hit, as the film could lose out on potential profits due to the short theatrical window.