Will Smith (R) hits Chris Rock as Rock speaks on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, March 27, 2022.
Brian Snyder | Reuters
Will Smith was asked to leave the 94th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday after slapping host Chris Rock, but declined, according to a new statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday.
The organization behind the Oscars said its board had initiated a disciplinary action against Smith for violating the group’s standards of conduct. At the next board meeting on April 18, the board will decide what action to take, if any, including suspension or expulsion.
“Mr Smith’s actions at the 94th Academy Awards are a shocking and traumatic event to witness in person and on television,” the Academy said in its statement. “Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you went through on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to the nominees and guests. and our viewers for what happened during what should have been a celebratory event.”
The incident occurred in the second half of the ceremony when Rock told some jokes before announcing the winner for best documentary. A joke was aimed at Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair, which prompted her partner, Smith, to step on stage and slap Rock.
ABC cut out the mic, but the uncensored international feed picked up Smith screaming profanity in the Rock.
For days, the audience speculated why Smith was not removed from the ceremony following the changeover. It is unclear exactly how or when he was asked to leave, but in the end, he remained at the Dolby Theater and went up to accept the award for best actor later in the evening.
The academy said it realized “we could have handled the situation differently.”
On Monday, Smith took to social media to officially apologize to Rock, calling his behavior “unacceptable and indefensible.” He previously apologized to the Academy and its nominees in his speech on Sunday.
Rock has yet to settle the case, but will make his first public appearance Wednesday night in Boston, where he will perform two consecutive shows at the Wilbur Theatre. Predictions sent Second market ticket sales skyrocketed.
Read the full statement from the Academy:
Today, the Board of Governors initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and damage the integrity of the Academy.
Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith will be notified at least 15 days in advance of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions and have the opportunity to Assembly is heard first with a written response. At its next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions authorized by Statute and Standards of Conduct.
Mr Smith’s actions at the 94th Academy Awards were a shocking, traumatic event to witness in person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you went through on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to the nominees, guests and viewers for what happened during what should have been a celebratory event.
Things turned out in a way that we could not have foreseen. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and declined, we also recognize that we could have handled the situation differently.
