Will Smith Resigns from Oscars Academy After Slapping Chris Rock on Oscars Stage

Gratisun.site - Will Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hosts the Oscars, less than a week after he slapped presenter Chris Rock on stage during an event on March 27, 2022 U.S. time. He announced his resignation on Friday night, April 1, 2022 U.S. time.

"My actions at the time of the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of people I have hurt is very long, including Chris, his family, many of my friends and loved ones, all of whom attended, and a global audience at home," Smith said.

The Men In Black star admitted to betraying the trust of The Academy. "I deprive other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their incredible work. I am heartbroken."

Will Smith has hinted that he is ready to miss the Oscar for Best Lead Actor he received at the 2022 Oscars that night. "I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and enable The Academy to return to doing the incredible work it does to support creativity and the arts in film."

Academy President David Rubin said he had accepted Smith's resignation. He said the Academy would move forward with processing disciplinary action against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy's Standards of Conduct before a board meeting scheduled to take place on April 18.

With this resignation, Smith, 53, will no longer be able to vote at the upcoming Academy Awards. During the show on Monday morning, March 28, 2022 Indonesian time, Chris Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith who shaved off her hair because she suffered from Alopecia. Will Smith took the stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face who was reading the winner of the documentary.

Keep my wife's name out of your mouth, said Smith, who won an Oscar for his role in king richard about half an hour after the incident. When he received the trophy, he apologized for slapping Rock.

The Academy is reportedly exploring the consequences of Smith's actions, which could include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions, such as being barred from Academy events. The organization said he violated the Academy's Standards of Conduct, which prohibit inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior.

An Academy statement earlier this week said after the incident, Smith was asked to leave the show and turned down. However, 2022 Oscars producer Will Packer said it was Chris Rock who encouraged Smith to stay.

"The LAPD made it clear, 'We're going to do whatever you want us to do and one of the options is we're going to catch him now,'" Packer told Good Morning America. He said the Los Angeles Police Department spoke to Rock at Packer's office. "They explained very clearly what Chris was rightfully," Packer said, "and they said, 'We're ready to catch him now.'" But Rock decided not to press charges against Will Smith.