Will Smith Reportedly “Refused” To Leave The Oscars After Slapping Chris Rock
"We would like to clarify that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused."
Apparently, Will Smith was, in fact, asked to leave the Oscars after he slapped comedian Chris Rock on Monday.
While a lot of us have been asking how Will Smith could have been allowed to remain at the Oscars after hitting Chris Rock, the Academy has just clarified that they did try to expel Smith from the audience, but he reportedly refused to leave.
“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” said the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, per The Guardian.“While we would like to clarify that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognise we could have handled the situation differently.”
The academy also added the following: “Mr Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television,“ before apologising to Chris Rock. “Mr Rock, we apologise to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologise to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.”
The Academy is reportedly also beginning disciplinary proceedings against Smith. “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 behaviour, and compromising the integrity of the Academy,” the statement said.
As you probably know, Smith hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair. Pinkett Smith revealed last year that she was suffering from Alopecia.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor will apparently receive 15 days notice to prepare a written response for the Academy to review at a meeting scheduled for April 18, where the Academy could take actions that include “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct”.
The Academy’s forthright response to the slapping incident raises questions about why Academy Award winners like Roman Polanski, Casey Affleck and Woody Allen, who have a number of sexual assault allegations behind them, have not faced disciplinary proceedings of their own.
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