BREAKING NEWS: Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars but REFUSED, the Academy says, as they rule he broke their code of conduct
- Will Smith was asked to leave the Los Angeles venue of the Oscars after hitting Chris Rock but refused, the Academy say
- ‘Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently,’ they said in a statement
- The governors of the Academy said they have begun disciplinary procedures against the actor
- They say he violated rules against ‘inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy’
- The actor could be suspended or expelled from the Academy when they next meet on April 18
- Smith, 53, shocked the audience and Rock when he marched onto the stage during the ceremony and slapped the comedian
- Smith shortly after the incident apologized to the organizers and attendees, but did not apologize to Rock until Monday
- Rock is yet to respond to Smith’s apology or address the incident, but is appearing on stage on Wednesday night in Boston
Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars after hitting Chris Rock but refused, the Academy said on Wednesday – also declaring that he had violated their code of conduct.
The 53-year-old actor marched onto the stage on Sunday and hit Rock, after Rock told a joke about Smith’s wife.
Shortly after, Smith was announced as the winner of the best actor award and went up to collect his statuette to a standing ovation from many of his peers.
On Wednesday the Academy said it had launched ‘disciplinary procedures’ against Smith, and confirmed he ignored their request for him to leave his seat.
‘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,’ their statement said.
‘Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.’
Smith will receive 15 days notice of a vote as well as an opportunity to be heard by written response.
At the next board meeting – scheduled for April 18 – the Academy may take action that could include ‘suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.’
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars Sunday after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. The Academy revealed on Wednesday that Smith was asked to leave, but refused
In his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – whose members vote for the awards, and who stages the ceremony – but stopped short of apologizing to Rock.
Twenty four hours later, he posted a public apology to Instagram, saying he wanted to formally say sorry to Rock.
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