Will Smith in a Better Headspace Since Apologizing for Slapping Chris Rock

Last month actor Will Smith returned from his self imposed hiatus to publicly apologize to comedian Chris Rock, and his family, for slapping him during the live broadcast of the Academy Awards for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith [click here if you missed that]. 

Now insiders say Will is feeling much less ashamed about the situation...

 From ET Online 

A source tells ET, that, in the wake of his apology, "Will is feeling much more confident and much more positive and less depressed."

"He was in very low spirits prior to making his public apology," the source continues. "He feels less ashamed now and more comfortable being out and about in public again because he has and continues to do the work that needs to be done for himself, his wife, his family, his friends, his colleagues, his fans, The Academy, Chris and Chris' family."

The source adds that Smith "knows he still has a lot of making up to to do and that it will all take time." However, the 53-year-old actor is "putting in the work and that is putting him in a better state mentally."

Smith is "hopeful that time will heal things with Chris and that it will be okay between them with some time," the source shares.