Tuesday 24 May 2022 12:43 AM Man who tried to tackle Dave Chappelle was inspired by Will Smith 'standing up ... trends now
Dave Chappelle's attacker has said he was inspired to storm the stage and hit the comedian by Will Smith, following Smith's attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars.
Isaiah Lee, 23, remains in jail following the May 3 attack, and has said he was 'triggered' by Chappelle's mocking of the LGBTQ community and homeless people.
On Monday Lee told The New York Post that he was inspired by Smith, because Rock had joked about Smith's wife's alopecia.
Lee said he thought Smith was justified in 'standing up for his wife'.
He told the paper he felt that as a bisexual man he was also justified in standing up for those made fun of by Chappelle.
'That's not right what [Chris Rock] said about his wife, calling her GI Jane,' said Lee.
'I wanted him to know that next time, he should consider first running his material by people it could affect.
'I wanted Dave Chappelle and people to know that these are things you need to be more sensitive about and not joke about.'
Chappelle himself has joked about the situation with Rock.
'At least you got smacked by someone of repute!' Chappelle told Rock.
'I got smacked by a homeless guy with leaves in his hair.'
Isaiah Lee, 23, is seen in court in Los Angeles following his attack on Dave Chappelle
Lee had previously allegedly jumped on stage and tried to attack Dave Chappelle, who was able to sidestep his attacker and avoid injury. Lee had been carrying a knife and inside a replica gun
Will Smith scandalized the Oscars ceremony when he stormed the stage and hit Chris Rock, after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife
Rock was shocked by the slap, but refused to press charges. Smith has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years
Lee, a budding rapper under the name 'NoName_Trapper', said that he also attacked Chappelle to raise his profile.
'I'm not going to lie. It was a bit of clout-chasing,' he admitted.
He also said his actions have gained him notoriety in jail.
'In Hollywood, you know they say there is no such thing as bad publicity,' he said.
'I rap about these things in my music and knew it would get attention.
'They come up to me and ask, 'Hey, are you the guy who went up to Dave Chappelle?'
'I feel safer here right now than being outside because I'm going to need to find and hire security.'
Lee was charged with four misdemeanors after the May 3 attack - battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance and commission of an act that delays the event or interferes with the performer.
He stormed the stage in Los Angeles and tried to tackle Chappelle while carrying a folding knife attached to a fake replica firearm, in front of a high profile crowd that included people such as Elon Musk, Jamie Foxx and Busta Rhymes.
The comedian was able to sidestep Lee, and was unharmed. Lee said that Foxx and Busta Rhymes both jumped onto the stage and kicked him to the ground.
Lee was arrested at the scene, and taken to hospital with a broken arm.
Lee, 23, said on Saturday that he attacked Chappelle because he found his comedy 'triggering'
On Sunday, Lee told read more from dailymail.....
