BREAKING NEWS: Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars but declined, the academy says, as it broke its code of conduct
- Will Smith was asked to leave the Los Angeles venue for the Oscars after meeting Chris Rock but declined, according to the Academy
- Smith, 53, shocked the audience and Rock when he marched onto the stage during the ceremony and punched the comedian
- Smith apologized to organizers and attendees shortly after the incident, but didn’t apologize to Rock until Monday
- On Wednesday, the academy held a session and ruled that he had violated their code of conduct
Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars after meeting Chris Rock but declined, the academy said on Wednesday, also stating that he had broken their code of conduct.
The 53-year-old actor marched onto the stage on Sunday and slapped Rock after Rock shared a joke about Smith’s wife.
Shortly thereafter, Smith was announced as the winner of the Best Actor award and went up to accept his statuette to a standing ovation from many of his peers.
On Wednesday, the academy announced that it had initiated a “disciplinary proceeding” against Smith and confirmed that he ignored her request to leave his seat.
“The Board of Governors today began disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s standards of conduct, including improper physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior and endangering the integrity of the Academy,” the statement said.
‘Mister. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and declined, [but] We also recognize that we could have handled the situation differently.’
Smith will be given 15 days’ notice and an opportunity to be heard by written reply.
At the next board meeting, scheduled for April 18, the Academy may take action that “might include suspension, expulsion or other sanctions as permitted under the bylaws and standards of conduct.”
Will Smith beat Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. The academy announced Wednesday that Smith was asked to leave but was turned down
In his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — whose members vote for the awards and who hosts the ceremony — but didn’t apologize to Rock.
Twenty-four hours later, he posted a public apology on Instagram, saying he wanted to formally apologize to Rock.
advertisement