Will Smith may have left sour taste in the mouths of some in Hollywood due to his controversial slapping of Chris Rock at the OSCARs earlier this year, but – as evidenced by the screening for his forthcoming film ‘Emancipation’ – the Academy Award-winning actor still has friends in high places he can depend on.

Details inside about the who’s who that came to lend their support to the embattled actor.

 

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Ahead of the theatrical release of the Anthony Fuqua-directed slavery drama, Smith invited some of A-list friends for a private preview of the flick – his first major work since the headline-grabbing OSCARS incident in March.

As revealed by a photo lifted to the actor’s official Instagram page, he was joined by the likes of Tyler Perry, actor-comic Dave Chappelle, famed television producer and writer Kenya Barris, Pop diva Rihanna and her rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky, and others.

Smith wrote in the photo’s caption: “EPIC night!! Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!!”

And “enjoy” they did, if Perry and Barris’ subsequent Instagram posts are to judge by.

“I’m still haunted by ‘Emancipation,’” Perry wrote on his Instagram story. “It’s truly powerful, moving and captivating. And the conversation afterwards with this group was legendary. Thank you, Will Smith, for the preview.”

Barris echoed the sentiment on his Instagram story by writing, “Emancipation is true art, power and everything else a film should be. You got one, Will Smith.”

‘Emancipation’ premieres in theaters on December 2 and will make its streaming premiere on Apple TV+ December 9.  Click here to watch its gripping trailer.

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