L-R: Will Smith, his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Chris Rock
The 2022 Oscars may have come and gone but the news of events that dominated the otherwise biggest showbiz event are still making headlines. Everybody saw the dirty drama between Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars, which has led Hollywood actor Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He did so after being condemned for slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars. Smith, in a statement on Friday said that he had “betrayed” its trust with conduct that was “shocking, painful, and inexcusable.”
He said after the ugly incident, “I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.” During the 94th Academy Awards, Rock had made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith loss of hair. His joke provoked Smith who stood up, strode to the stage, slapped Rock and then returned to his seat shouting “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth!”
The slap seen all over the world stunned many and the Academy after apologising for Smith’s behaviour, opened an inquiry into the incident. “I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct,” Smith said in the statement. The Academy acknowledged his resignation in a statement.
“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” David Rubin, its president, said in a statement. “We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
The implication of this development is that Mr. Smith will no longer have access to academy screenings and events, no longer eligible to vote in the Academy Awards, but could still be nominated for an award, since being a member is not a requirement for eligibility.
