The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has begun “disciplinary proceedings” against Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars on Sunday.
“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.”
Additionally, Smith will receive 15 days notice of a vote as well as an opportunity to be heard by written response, and 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.”
In their statement, the Academy also said “Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.” The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Smith for comment. The Academy also apologized directly to Rock in the statement, as well as nominees, guests and viewers.
Rock was presenting best documentary feature at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday when he made a G.I. Jane joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, who has a shaved head (the actress has alopecia). After Smith walked up to the stage to slap Rock, Smith returned to his seat and twice shouted at the presenter to take his wife’s name out of his “f—ing mouth.” Smith later went on to win the best actor award for his performance in King Richard. While receiving his first-ever Oscar, he apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees; he did not, however, mention Rock.
The officers of the organization’s board of governors had an emergency meeting a day later, and the full board met on Wednesday to discuss the incident. THR‘s awards columnist Scott Feinberg spoke to numerous members after the event, who felt that the organization should at the very least suspend his membership, citing the Standards of Conduct that the Academy implemented eight weeks after Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misdeeds were exposed. And almost none felt he should be back at the ceremony next year to carry out the ceremonial tradition whereby the previous year’s best actor presents the best actress award.
Following many condemnations, including from the Academy, Smith took to Instagram on Monday to apologize to Rock.“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.”
Rock has yet to make a statement, but the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to THR that he declined to press charges.
See below for the Academy’s full statement.
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.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
