​Rare update on Will Smith in hiding ​

Kevin Hart has shared an update on Will Smith nearly four months after he slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars award ceremony.

Hart, who is a close friend of Smith, spoke with Entertainment Tonight during the premiere of his new animated movie DC League of Super-Pets in Los Angeles on Wednesday. 

“Will is apologetic, you know, he’s in a better space, of course, than what he was after [the slapping incident],” he said on the red carpet. “People are human, and as humans sometimes we make mistakes. So it’s not about talking about the past, it’s about acknowledging the present and doing your best to move forward.”

Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >
 

“I only hope that the two of them find a way to find some solace in that and move past it,” he said. “I just like good energy. I love to see people be the best.” 

He added: “I still love him, I still love Chris, and, you know, you can’t judge a person by one thing. Ultimately, life goes on and people grow, so give him the opportunity to do so.”

Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, addressed the viral moment on an episode of Red Table Talk in June. During that time, she pushed for Rock and her husband to “reconcile”.
 

“Now about Oscar night, my deepest hope is that these two intelligent, capable men have an opportunity to heal, talk this out and reconcile,” she said. 

“The state of the world today, we need them both. And we all actually need one another more than ever. Until then, Will and I are continuing to do what we have done for the last 28 years, and let’s keep figuring out this thing called life together. Thank you for listening.”

Slap that shocked the world

The King Richard star received backlash on March 27 after he slapped Rock onstage at the 94th Academy Awards after the comedian made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s bald head.

After Smith’s attack, he returned to his seat and angrily twice shouted at Rock: “Get my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth.” 

When Smith took the stage again less than an hour later to accept his Oscar for Best Actor, he tearfully apologised to the Academy but notably omitted any mention of Rock.

Smith was banned from attending any Academy Award events for the next 10 years following the incident. The punishment came after the actor resigned from the Academy.

Before the resignation and punishment, Smith publicly apologised to Rock via Instagram.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission