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
Popular Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo, on Monday passed away after a long battle with cancer on Monday.
According to reports he died at age 40.
Ekubo was best known for his roles in the Weekend Getaway and the music video titled Johnny by Yemi Alade in 2013.
He had won many awards and accolades for his work in the entertainment industry and humanitarian efforts.
While his family and management are yet to issue a statement, tributes have been pouring in from fans and friends in Nigeria’s and Ghanaian films industry.
The Nollywood star made his acting debut in the 2005 production, Sinners in the House.
He graduated with a degree in law from the University of Calabar and broke into stardom in 2010 after competing in the Mr Nigeria competition.
In 2013, he won Best Supporting Actor in the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role as Andre Dikeh in Weekend Getaway.
Ekubo had received nine awards during his career, including Best of Nollywood’s Best Actor of the year (2016) and Best Lead Actor (2022).
Nigeria’s First Lady gave him a Special Recognition Award in 2018 for his contribution and development of the country’s entertainment industry.
In 2020, he was inducted into the UN’s Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40, for his efforts in entertainment and social development.
By Spectator Reporter
Mohammed Ismail Sherif, known in showbiz circles as ‘Black Sherif,’ on Saturday made history by joining the elite list of musicians to achieved the ‘sophomore’ feat by winning the Artiste of the Year title on two occasions.
Black Sherif first won the Artiste of the Year title in 2023, shortly after his explosive entry into the music scene.
On Saturday night, May 9, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, the ‘Iron Boy’ hitmaker overcame a strong field of contenders, including Medikal, Wendy Shay, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and Diana Hamilton, to reclaim the crown.
On the night, Black Sherif was the biggest winner, walking away with a total of five awards.
In addition to the ultimate prize, he also won the Album/EP of the Year – Iron Boy, Songwriter of the Year – for his song ‘Sacrifice,’ Afropop Song of the Year – ‘Sacrifice’ and Hip-Hop Song of the Year – ‘Where Dem Boys.’
The win cements his legacy as the youngest artist to win the top honour twice, at just 24 years old, placing him alongside legends like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and VIP/VVIP.
Receiving his awards, the Konongo-born star expressed profound gratitude to God, his family, and his fans. In a standout moment of generosity, he requested that his GH¢100,000 sponsorship package from Guinness Ghana be shared with rising artists Arathejay and Gonaboy to support their upcoming projects and listening parties.
The 27th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) also saw other notable wins, including Medikal taking home four awards, Kofi Kinaata and Kojo Blak securing two on a night that celebrated the continued global rise of Ghanaian music.
Wendy Shay, Keche, Moliy, Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Kwabena Kwabena and others also picked up awards.
Patrons enjoyed mind-blowing performances from Black Sherif, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Okyeame Kwame, Ras Kuuku, Kofi Kinaata, Medikal, Samini and others.
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