Will Smith Defied The Academy After Slapping Chris Rock
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reported that Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscar gala after hitting Chris Rock, but he refused.
The board of governors of the Academy, which met on Wednesday, said it had also initiated disciplinary proceedings against Will Smith for violating the organization's standards of conduct.
"The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Will 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 (...)
"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.
The board of governors of the Academy, which met on Wednesday, said it had also initiated disciplinary proceedings against Will Smith for violating the organization's standards of conduct.
"The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Will 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 (...)
"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," the Academy said in a public statement.
The Oscar Night And Will Smith's Refusal To Leave The Gala
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after a joke about his wife's, Jada Pinkett Smith, alopecia. Many have wondered why Smith - who received a standing ovation minutes after winning the Best Actor award - was allowed to remain in the Academy Awards first after the incident. On Wednesday, the Academy suggested that it tried to get the actor out of the theater but they did not succeed.
"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," the Academy said.
"Mr. Smith's actions at the 94th annual Oscars were a profoundly shocking and traumatic event to witness in person and on television," the Academy added. "Mr. Rock, we apologize for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resistance at that time. We also apologize to our nominees, guests, and viewers for what happened during what should have been a holiday event. "
"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," the Academy said.
"Mr. Smith's actions at the 94th annual Oscars were a profoundly shocking and traumatic event to witness in person and on television," the Academy added. "Mr. Rock, we apologize for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resistance at that time. We also apologize to our nominees, guests, and viewers for what happened during what should have been a holiday event. "
Hollywood Reacted After The Incident
Jim Carrey condemned Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at Sunday night’s Academy Awards and accused a "spineless" audience of A-listers who subsequently gave the actor a standing ovation.
"I was sickened. I was sickened by the standing ovation," Carrey told Gayle King in a "CBS Mornings" interview that aired Tuesday.
"Hollywood is just spineless en masse and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we aren’t the cool club anymore," Carrey, 60, told King of the audience’s warm reception for Smith.
At her turn, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, scheduled to air Thursday, Wanda Sykes, co-host of the gala, said Will Smith should not have been allowed to stay in the room and accept the award.
"I thought it was a really great show until it took an odd, unexpected turn. I dunno I thought I was dreaming it was very surreal, very strange," said Billy Eichner.
Minnie Driver also reacted after the Smith / Rock moment: "I think that [moment] was deeply personal, deeply personal. That we're all privy to something that-- was emotions running really high and I really hope they will make up later. "
Kathy Griffin expressed her concern that Smith’s actions would make life more dangerous for people in her profession.
"I was sickened. I was sickened by the standing ovation," Carrey told Gayle King in a "CBS Mornings" interview that aired Tuesday.
"Hollywood is just spineless en masse and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we aren’t the cool club anymore," Carrey, 60, told King of the audience’s warm reception for Smith.
At her turn, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, scheduled to air Thursday, Wanda Sykes, co-host of the gala, said Will Smith should not have been allowed to stay in the room and accept the award.
"I thought it was a really great show until it took an odd, unexpected turn. I dunno I thought I was dreaming it was very surreal, very strange," said Billy Eichner.
Minnie Driver also reacted after the Smith / Rock moment: "I think that [moment] was deeply personal, deeply personal. That we're all privy to something that-- was emotions running really high and I really hope they will make up later. "
Kathy Griffin expressed her concern that Smith’s actions would make life more dangerous for people in her profession.
"Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian," she wrote on Twitter. "Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters."
