He's not taking any chances regarding his live shows, and it seems Dave Chappelle was faced with another unexpected moment. Despite backlash he's received over his LGBTQIA+-centered jokes, Chappelle continues to tour and sell out shows. Australian outlets reported on a comedy event in Perth that was interrupted after a brawl broke out in the crowd.
Ironically, Chapelle was on stage delivering the story about being accosted at the Hollywood Bowl when the rumbling in the audience began. It was a moment that could have ruined the night, but attendees reportedly said the comedian handled it with ease. Several audience members tweeted about the incident and praised Chappelle.
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“I was most impressed with how quickly he got the crowd back,” one person reportedly said. Another further added, “Dave Chappelle showed me he is the GOAT in Perth tonight and an absolute professional. Shame some bogans in the crowd decided to have a fight half way through his set." It seems there was some loud swearing, more yelling, and a tussle before the arena staff quickly shut things down. The only reason videos of the fight didn't make it to the internet is due to Chappelle's strict no cameras or phones policy.
In May 2022, Chappelle performed for the Netflix is a Joke tour when a man named Isaiah Lee rushed the stage. Lee lunged at the comedian and reportedly had a knife, but his assault was unsuccessful. Later, Lee pleaded no contest to the charge of assault with a deadly weapon and received 270 days in jail. The motive for his attack remains unclear, but it was stated that Lee recorded a song referencing Chappelle.
Since the attack, Chappelle has continued to face pushback against his jokes about the trans community. Netflix employees even staged a walkout to protest his controversial comedy special, but Chappelle has remained unmoved. His supporters have also stood by him as conversations about "Cancel Culture" move forward.
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