Academy ‘condemns’ Will Smith’s Oscars slap, will consider ‘consequences’
The Academy said in a new statement that it “condemns” Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars ceremony on Sunday night.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the organization wrote in a statement shared via social media on Monday.
The Academy also revealed that it has launched a “formal review” into Smith’s actions.
“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law,” the statement added.
Smith is likely to be disciplined — including possible suspension of his Academy membership, which members are calling for — according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The outlet reports, however, that it’s less likely Smith’s Best Actor accolade for “King Richard” — which he won on Sunday — will be revoked despite calls from some for him to be stripped of the golden statue.
A final decision may be postponed until the Academy’s next full meeting of the board, where they review the show and make important rule changes.
As fans saw on Sunday, Smith, 53, smacked Rock, 57, for joking about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head.
Rock had quipped, “Jada, I love you, ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.” While the “King Richard” star initially laughed at the remark, he became incensed after sensing his spouse’s annoyed reaction.
After storming the stage to slap Rock in the face, Smith walked back to his seat, where he proceeded to repeatedly shout, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth!”
“That was the greatest night in the history of television,” responded a calm Rock, who also promised Smith on stage that he wouldn’t mention Pinkett Smith again.
Pinkett Smith — who debuted a shaved head last summer — suffers from alopecia and has been vocal about her struggle with hair loss.
The Academy already said Sunday night that it “does not condone violence of any form” amid calls for Smith to lose his first Oscar for the outburst.
Rock has not filed a police report against Smith for his on-stage slap, authorities said.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it was “aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” without naming the two stars.
However, the LAPD stressed that it is willing to investigate the matter should Rock change his mind.
Meanwhile, Smith and Rock’s mutual pal Sean “Diddy” Combs exclusively told Page Six on Sunday night that the men had settled their feud.
“That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that,” the hip-hop icon, 52, told us of the beef without elaborating further on how Smith and Rock had reconciled.
“It’s all love,” he noted. “They’re brothers.”
Other sources have claimed the pair have not yet spoken.
Reps for Smith and Rock did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
