According to a legal expert, Chris Rock could sue Will Smith for damages after he was beaten by the Oscar winner at the Oscars last night.
The comedian, 57, received a candid slap in the face from Smith, 53, while onstage during the Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.
It came after Rock directed a joke at the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, in relation to her hair loss as a result of an autoimmune disease.
Rock declined to file criminal charges with the LAPD after the slap, but a legal expert told The Sun the comedian could still sue in civil court.
Beverly Hills attorney Adam Michael Sacks said both Smith and the awards show are at risk of legal action.
‘[Rock] could sue Will for public humiliation and disgrace. He could say the attack hurt his confidence and his career.
“Chris might even sue the academy… As a performer on stage, he might argue that he should have been protected.”
After Smith stepped onto the stage and appeared to smack Rock with his open right hand, Rock staggered and exclaimed, “Wow, Will Smith just blew me away.”
The slapping incident came after Rock joked about Pinkett Smith’s “GI Jane” haircut, referring to her shaved head. The shocking scene, broadcast live around the world, amazed both live audiences and TV viewers
Will and Jada tried to focus throughout the night on the biggest win of his career – not the shocking slap in the face
Sacks went on to say that Rock and Smith would likely settle out of court should the comedian decide to file a civil suit, but Rock may change his mind and proceed with a criminal case.
The academy has since launched a formal investigation into the incident and says it “condemns Mr. Smith’s actions at last night’s show”.
“We have officially begun a formal review of the incident and will be reviewing further actions and consequences consistent with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law,” said an Academy Awards spokesperson.
The organization has been in emergency talks via Zoom to strip Will Smith of his gong for best actor for today’s hit because the attack violates a new code of conduct devised by The Academy in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the horrific crimes of Harvey Weinstein became .
Members, including Smith himself, have agreed to conduct themselves in a manner that will never violate “the integrity of the Academy by their actions” or face suspension or expulsion. Critics agree the actor’s live TV assault fits that definition – but his supporters insist he “should be able to stick with it”.
A source told The Sun: “Once the ceremony was over, key members called in to hold an emergency meeting about what action they should take.
“There were calls for Will to take his gong for Best Actor. There is no sign that they condone violence in any way, and there are some people at the academy who believe they should strip him of the award to make a mark. Others, however, think he should be allowed to hold on to it.
Chris Rock, who has not been seen since the attack, was offered an “aftercare package,” including a consultant if he needs one, the insider said.
Meanwhile, LA’s rich and famous still welcomed Smith like a hero as they partied with him on Sunday night.
A Beverly Hills attorney said Rock and Smith are likely to settle out of court should the comedian decide to file a civil suit, but added that Rock may change his mind and proceed with a criminal case. The academy has since launched a formal investigation into the incident and says it “condemns Mr. Smith’s actions at last night’s show”.
Smith capped off a turbulent night with a party to celebrate the biggest win of his career: Best Actor at the Oscars
Popular: Will was pictured in the middle of the crowd dancing and cheering with fellow stars
The star was hugged, high fives and celebrated by guests at the Vanity Fair party in Beverly Hills. He posed for selfies with the usually perky LA crowd cheering him on as he sang along to his biggest hits like Summertime and Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It until the wee hours.
But Hollywood glitterati, many of whom will have been at the ceremony last night, have publicly criticized the likes of JK Rowling, who is a staunch advocate for women’s rights, including how they should take precedence over those of transgender people , especially when it comes to safe spaces.
Critics have also pointed out that The Academy banned Kevin Hart from hosting the 2019 Academy Awards for historically unacceptable tweets – but didn’t penalize Will Smith for attacking anyone. Chrissy Teigen was also canceled due to social media posts.
Bernardine Evaristo, the Man Booker Prize-winning author, tweeted: “What a thing to wake up to. Only the fifth black man in nearly 100 years to win an Oscar for the male lead, and the first in 16 years, resorts to violence rather than the power of words to kill Chris Rock. Then he claims God and love brought him to it.’