Academy: Will Smith Refused to Leave Oscars, Disciplinary Proceedings Begin
Written by SOURCE on March 31, 2022
UPDATED 3/30, 10:32 p.m. ET: Insiders have shed more light on the aftermath of Will Smith’s Oscars slap.
According to TMZ, it was Academy president David Rubin and its CEO Dawn Hudson who had asked Smith to leave the ceremony after he smacked Chris Rock on stage. Sources who were present at the event described the executives as “furious” and “apoplectic,” and were engaged in “heated” backstage conversations with Smith’s team. The details of the exchange have not been revealed, but insiders say there was “yelling.”
See original story below.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is weighing disciplinary action against Will Smith, who has continued to make headlines over his attack on Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards.
“The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.” the Academy wrote in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. “[…] Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.”
While presenting the award for Best Documentary, Rock made a number of jokes directed at audience members, including Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.
“Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” he quipped in an apparent reference to Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head.
Moments later, Smith walked onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock across the face and then promptly returned to his seat.
“Will Smith just smacked the shit outta me,” a visibly shook Rock said.
“Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth,” Smith shouted from the audience.
“Wow, dude. It was a G.I. Jane joke,” Rock replied.
Pinkett-Smith debuted her shaved head in 2021, years after she was diagnosed with alopecia.
The Academy’s statement goes on to say that Smith was asked to leave the ceremony after the attack, but refused to exit the Dolby Theater. Later that night, Smith won the Best Actor award for King Richard, in which he played Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams.
During his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the Academy for his actions, and emphasized the importance of protecting one’s family.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams,” he said. “But love will make you do crazy things.”
Smith has since issued an apology to Rock, admitting he “acted emotionally.”
According to the Academy’s statement, Smith is now facing “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.”
You can read its full statement below.
The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.
Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response. At the next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.
Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.
Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently
