Will Smith may be facing sanctions by The Motion Picture Academy according to a statement released today March 30.
The “disciplinary proceedings” against Will Smith comes after he slapped Chris Rock Sunday night on stage at the Oscars after he did a G.I Jane joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The statement read, “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”
It is standard for persons to 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 could take action that could include “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.”
Further in their statement, the Academy also said “Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.” The Academy also apologized directly to Rock in the statement, as well as nominees, guests and viewers.
After Smith walked up to the stage to complete the slap to Rock’s face, he returned to his seat and shouted at the presenter ” Take my wife’s name out of your “fucking mouth.” He repeated the command after Rock tried to move the show along.
The Bad Boy actor later in the evening 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.
Following the social media uproar, some supporting and condemning Smith’s actions an apology was posted on his Instagram on Monday to further apologize to Rock who was not mentioned in the original onstage apology. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.”
Up to press time Rock has not filed charges even after Jim Carey suggested that he would sue Will Smith had it been him.
Carey said “I felt like Hollywood is just spineless, unmask and it’s a really clear indication that we are not the cool club anymore.”
He continued, “I would announce this morning that I am suing Will for 200 million dollars…you do not have the right to smack somebody in the face because they said words.”
Tiffany Haddish however said, “First of all that joke that Chris did that was a joke to insult a woman, her sexuality, her physique, it was a way to call a woman a homosexual basically, i remember that in school they would do that to people. It’s kinda messed up.”
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.
