The Academy urged Will Smith to leave the Oscar 2022 Award Show after the Chris Rock slap incident.
As per the statement released by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences via the Associated Press, what Will Smith did at the 94th Oscars was a deeply shocking and traumatic incident. It was not fit to witness in-person and on television.
“We apologize to Mr. Rock for what he went through on our stage and for his resilience at that time. We’d like to apologize to our nominees, guests, and viewers for the circumstances that led up to what should have been a joyful occasion.”
“I don’t think anybody ever expected this scenario to take place.” “While we want to emphasize that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we acknowledge we could have handled the situation differently as well.”
On March 27, 2013, 57-year-old Will Smith accepted an award at the Sundays for Black Achievement Awards ceremony after making a few jokes, including one where he mentioned that Jada Pinkett Smith would be great in a G.I. Jane sequel because of her shaved head.
Before her husband, whom she married in 1997, smacked Rock across the face, Katie rolled her eyes at her Madagascar costar.
The Academy was debating if Smith “should be removed” from the ceremony immediately after the incident, a source told US Weekly.
On Wednesday, the Academy’s Board of Governors began “disciplinary proceedings” against Smith’s conduct in response to the incident.
The Board is looking into any possible “breaches of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy,” according to a statement.
The Academy’s board meeting on April 18 will hear Smith’s case, during which the Academy may take whatever corrective action is deemed appropriate, such as suspension, expulsion, or other penalties.
“Smith has also spoken out against violence in all of its forms, posting on Instagram Monday, March 28, “Violence in any form is toxic and harmful.” “I am deeply sorry for my conduct at last night’s Academy Awards, which was both inexcusable and indefensible. I went off course and made a mistake. I’m mortified, and my actions were not befitting of the person I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and compassion.”
According to the US Weekly, the Everybody Hates Chris creator has not filed a police report.