Kevin Hart says Will Smith is apologetic after Chris Rock slap at the Oscars: 'He’s in a better space'

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Kevin Hart is sharing 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," 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."

Kevin Hart, right, said that his friend Will Smith is apologetic and in a "better space" nearly four months after he slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. (Photo by Jason Kempin)

Hart shared with the outlet that he hopes his two friends can "move past" the violent event that occurred while Rock was presenting an award. 

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

Hart 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."

Kevin Hart, right, shared that he still "loves" Chris Rock and hopes that Rock and Will Smith can "move past" the violent event. (Photo by Kevin Mazur)

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."

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"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."

Will Smith, right, slapped Chris Rock onstage during the presentation for the award for best documentary feature at the 2022 Oscars. (Chris Pizzello)

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.

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After Smith’s attack, he returned to his seat and angrily twice shouted at Rock to "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, he tearfully apologized to the Academy but notably omitted any mention of Rock.

Chris Rock made a joke at the expense of Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. (AP)

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

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