Will Smith on Wednesday gave his first in-person awards speech since his slap at the 2022 Oscars . Meanwhile his victim, Chris Rock , tried out material about the incident at a comedy club before his live Netflix special on Saturday.

Its been nearly a year since Smith caused a seismic reaction by striking Rock for joking about Jada Pinkett Smiths hair loss. But the two stars remain connected to the awards show like super glue.

Smith, banned from this years Academy Awards on March 12 and nine more ceremonies whether nominated or not, accepted the Beacon Award with director Antoine Fuqua at the African American Film Critics Association Awards in Beverly Hills.