Kevin Hart Hopes Will Smith and Chris Rock Will ‘Move Past’ Infamous Oscars Slap: ‘You Can’t Judge a Person by 1 Thing’
14.07.2022 - 18:07
/ usmagazine.com
Standing by his friends. Kevin Hart is not picking sides when it comes to Will Smith and Chris Rock following their infamous encounter at the Oscars.
“I can only hope that the two of them find a way to find some solace in that and move past it. I just like good energy. I love to see people be the best,” Hart, 43, told Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday, July 13.
The Philadelphia native noted that he has stayed on good terms with Smith, 53, and Rock, 57, adding, “I still love [Will], 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.”
According to Hart, there is room for a reconciliation as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum deals with the fallout of the infamous slap. “Will is apologetic, you know, he’s in a better space, of course, than what he was after,” the DC League of Super-Pets star continued. “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.”
Earlier this year, Smith made headlines when he hit Rock on stage following the comedian’s joke about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head. “Will Smith just smacked the s—t out of me,” the South Carolina native said in censored footage that circulated online in March. As the Bad Boys actor returned to his seat, he was heard yelling at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out your f—king mouth.”
Smith, who was nominated for his role in King Richard, went on to use his acceptance speech for the best actor award as a platform to apologize. “Oh, man. Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he said during the emotional speech. “I’m being called on in my life