The Academy: Will Smith refused to leave Oscars ceremony after slap

The Academy: Will Smith refused to leave Oscars ceremony after slap
March 31, 2022, 9:42 am

Will Smith storms Oscars stage, hits Chris Rock in heated moment (File photo: Fox News)

The BBC reported, the Academy says that Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars ceremony after hitting Chris Rock but refused.

In its statement, the Academy said: "Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."

The body also announced it had "initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr Smith for violations of the Academy's Standards of Conduct".

It said that these include inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behaviour, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.

The Academy said action may be taken at its next board meeting on 18 April. The statement said that that may include "suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions."

The Oscars went silent for Ukraine for 30 seconds (File photo: Pixabay) — In its statement, the Academy said: "Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently." (File photo: Pixabay)

It also apologised directly to Rock, as well as nominees, guests and viewers.

Meanwhile, Rock said he is "still processing" the incident in his first public comments since the ceremony.

"How was your weekend?" he jokingly asked the crowd at a stand-up show in Boston, before saying he did not plan to address the incident at length.

The Oscars holds a moment of silence for Ukraine

"I'm still processing what happened, so at some point I'll talk about that," Rock told the crowd. "It'll be serious. It'll be funny, but right now I'm going to tell some jokes."

Source: BBC

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