Tyler Perry, Tiffany Haddish and others spoke to The Times about Black creatives' evolving attitudes toward Smith and Chris Rock since the Oscars slap.
, including the Oscars, for 10 years. Aside from a few pointed jabs early in his current comedy tour, Rock has defiantly refused to address the event. As a result, much of the initial furor subsided over the spring and summer, reentering the news cycle only occasionally — as when Smith posted an Instagram video addressing the slap in July.
“We all love Chris Rock, and we all love Will Smith,” said Los Angeles-based photographer Carell Augustus, whose new book, “Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments,” features pictures of Black stars re-creating scenes from classic films. “I thought what Will did was unacceptable. It didn’t change how I view his talent, but it did change my perception of him. I thought he should have been apprehended and removed from the Oscars.
Several entertainment figures, including Perry, actor-comedian Tiffany Haddish, comedian George Wallace and actor-comedian-writer Franklyn Ajaye were willing to share their views on where they stand over the ramifications of the slap with The Times. Numerous others who were contacted did not respond or declined to comment.
Perry joined Dave Chappelle, Rihanna, “black-ish” creator Kenya Barris and other top celebrities for a Smith-hosted screening of “Emancipation” in October. Whether that grace and understanding comes for Smith, and in time for “Emancipation’s” box office and awards prospects, may depend on viewers’ ability to separate Smith’s actions at the Oscars from his role in the historical drama.
Haddish, who came out in support of Smith following the incident, agreed. “When I saw it happen, it was like high school again. But Will is a good person. He had his little moment. I love Will Smith, and I love Chris Rock. That was crazy, but I feel if ‘Emancipation’ is a good movie, people will want to go see it. My friends still want to go see it. They’re not going to hold that against him.”
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