Entertainment
Dave Chappelle ‘Refuses’ to Let Attack Overshadow Comedy Set, Netflix Speaks Out on Incident
Netflix has issued a statement after Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage while performing a comedy set during the streaming giant’s Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles. The performance was taking place at the Hollywood Bowl. A spokesperson for the streamer said, “We care deeply about the safety of creators and we strongly defend the right of stand-up comedians to perform on stage without fear of violence.”
Video footage circulated during Chappelle’s comedy set showing a man rushing on to the stage and tackling the performer to the ground. Chappelle has been performing a number of dates at the Hollywood Bowl in the last month. The attacker was seen getting up and trying to run off stage before he was caught and tackled by what appeared to be security personnel and members of Chappelle’s team.
A spokesperson for Chappelle’s production company also issued a statement in the aftermath of the attack: “Dave Chappelle celebrated four nights of comedy and music, setting record-breaking sales for a comedian at the Hollywood Bowl. This run ties Chappelle with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by any comedian at the Hollywood Bowl, reaching 70k fans of diverse backgrounds during the first Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival, and he refuses to allow last night’s incident to overshadow the magic of this historic moment.”
“As unfortunate and unsettling as the incident was, Chappelle went on with the show,” the statement adds. “Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock helped calm the crowd with humor before Chappelle introduced the last and featured musical guests for the evening, hip-hop artists yasiin bey and Talib Kweli, a.k.a. Black Star, who performed music from their new album – the first in nearly 24 years – which was released on Luminary. Other special comedic guests last night included Earthquake, Leslie Jones, Jeff Ross, Sebastian, Jon Stewart and Michelle Wolf.”
Chappelle is fully cooperating with the active police investigation into this incident. Police arrested Isaiah Lee, 23, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to NBC Los Angeles. He was allegedly carrying a replica gun that could discharge a knife blade and is suspected of tackling comedian Chappelle on stage Tuesday night. He’s being held on $30,000 bail.
Chappelle has been a controversial figure recently due to several Netflix comedy specials in which he made jokes about transgender people. His 2021 Netflix special “The Closer” led to company walkouts and protests last October. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos originally defended Chappelle, saying in statement that the comedian is “one of the most popular stand-ups today” and “as with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom — even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful.” Sarandos ultimately said he “screwed up” in his reaction to the Chappelle backlash.
Chappelle’s attack took place just over a month after Will Smith took to the Oscars stage to slap presenter Chris Rock, who was in attendance at Chappelle’s Netflix show, reportedly came on stage after the attack and said, “Was that Will Smith?”
The Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival kicked off April 28 and runs through May 8.
Source: variety.com
Chief Executive Officer of Exclusive Events Ghana, organisers of Miss Ghana, Inna Patty, has dismissed claims that beauty pageants have outlived their relevance.
She insists pageants such as Miss Ghana have evolved into an empowerment platform that develops female leaders rather than celebrating physical beauty.
Speaking with Daily Graphic, Inna Patty said Miss Ghana, the country’s oldest beauty pageant had deliberately shifted its focus from glamorous prizes to producing socially conscious women capable of leading change in their communities.
The criticism only holds true if a pageant remains strictly superficial. Miss Ghana remains deeply relevant because we long ago pivoted from material-centric prizes to human development and social intervention through the Miss Ghana Foundation and Miss World’s Beauty With a Purpose. We are an empowerment programme disguised as a pageant.”
According to her, at a time when society is demanding stronger female leadership and greater social responsibility, Miss Ghana continues to distinguish itself by placing emphasis on project management, philanthropy, leadership and intellectual development.
She explained that contestants are expected to go beyond the runway by identifying pressing social issues, developing practical solutions and mobilising resources to execute impactful community projects.
“Contestants do not just speak about charity. They are required to identify pressing community needs, draft viable project proposals and actively raise funds to implement them. This transforms them from passive observers into active civic leaders who understand the mechanics of sustainable social impact,” she noted.
Inna Patty added that the pageant has consistently produced positive role models for young Ghanaian girls by highlighting women whose achievements are defined by their intelligence, compassion and service to society.
“We have redefined what a role model looks like for the next generation. By showcasing young women who are brilliant, articulate, educated and deeply compassionate, we teach young girls that their worth is defined by their intellect, character and contribution to society,” she said.
Her comments come as Miss Ghana prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, a milestone she described as a testament to the pageant’s resilience and enduring relevance.
“Reaching seven decades is a monumental milestone that underscores our resilience, institutional strength and enduring relevance. It is a celebration of a legacy that is inextricably linked to the history of Ghana itself,” she stated.
She recalled that the pageant was initiated by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, adding that historical records indicate Parliament once allocated funds for its organisation, underscoring its importance as a national project.
Chief Executive Officer of Exclusive Events Ghana, organisers of Miss Ghana, Inna Patty, has dismissed claims that beauty pageants have outlived their relevance.
She insists pageants such as Miss Ghana have evolved into an empowerment platform that develops female leaders rather than celebrating physical beauty.
Speaking with Daily Graphic, Inna Patty said Miss Ghana, the country’s oldest beauty pageant had deliberately shifted its focus from glamorous prizes to producing socially conscious women capable of leading change in their communities.
The criticism only holds true if a pageant remains strictly superficial. Miss Ghana remains deeply relevant because we long ago pivoted from material-centric prizes to human development and social intervention through the Miss Ghana Foundation and Miss World’s Beauty With a Purpose. We are an empowerment programme disguised as a pageant.”
According to her, at a time when society is demanding stronger female leadership and greater social responsibility, Miss Ghana continues to distinguish itself by placing emphasis on project management, philanthropy, leadership and intellectual development.
She explained that contestants are expected to go beyond the runway by identifying pressing social issues, developing practical solutions and mobilising resources to execute impactful community projects.
“Contestants do not just speak about charity. They are required to identify pressing community needs, draft viable project proposals and actively raise funds to implement them. This transforms them from passive observers into active civic leaders who understand the mechanics of sustainable social impact,” she noted
Inna Patty added that the pageant has consistently produced positive role models for young Ghanaian girls by highlighting women whose achievements are defined by their intelligence, compassion and service to society.
“We have redefined what a role model looks like for the next generation. By showcasing young women who are brilliant, articulate, educated and deeply compassionate, we teach young girls that their worth is defined by their intellect, character and contribution to society,” she said.
Her comments come as Miss Ghana prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, a milestone she described as a testament to the pageant’s resilience and enduring relevance.
“Reaching seven decades is a monumental milestone that underscores our resilience, institutional strength and enduring relevance. It is a celebration of a legacy that is inextricably linked to the history of Ghana itself,” she stated.
She recalled that the pageant was initiated by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, adding that historical records indicate Parliament once allocated funds for its organisation, underscoring its importance as a national project.
