Will Smith resigns from Hollywood Academy after being slapped by Chris Rock – National
Will Smith resigned Friday at the film academy after he slapped Chris Rock on Oscar night and said he would accept any further punishment the organization has imposed.
Smith in a statement released Friday afternoon said he would “fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful, and inexplicable.”
Film Academy President David Rubin said Smith’s resignation has been accepted. “We will continue to proceed with disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violating the Academy Standards of Conduct, ahead of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
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“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I have deprived other nominees and winners of the opportunity to celebrate for their extraordinary work,” Smith’s statement said. “I’m heartbroken. I want to focus back on those who deserve attention for their accomplishments and allow the Academy to return to the incredible work it has to offer to support creativity and character. film art.
“Change takes time, and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never let violence overwhelm reason again,” he concluded in the statement.
The resignation comes two days after the academy’s leadership met to begin disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violating the group’s standards of conduct.
On Sunday, Smith strode from the front row of the Dolby Theater onto the stage and smacked Rock in the face, who was joking with Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Moments later, he went on to win best actor for his role in King Richard.
Rock, who is about to award the Oscar for best documentary, refused to testify when questioned by police. He spoke only briefly about the attack publicly, saying at a comedy concert in Boston this week that he was still “processing what happened.”
Smith wowed Rock, theatergoers and home audiences when he took the stage after Rock joked, “Jada, I love you. “ GI Jane 2, ‘can’t wait to see it. “
Pinkett Smith, who has spoken out publicly about her hair loss, alopecia areata, shaved her head like Demi Moore in the original film.
After Smith’s attack, he returned to his seat and angrily shouted twice at Rock to “get my wife’s name out of your mouth.” When Smith took the stage again less than an hour later to accept his Oscar, he tearfully apologized to the academy but notably omitted any mention of Rock.
Fallout was immediate and intense. Smith has supporters for defending his wife, but he was widely condemned for responding with violence and spoiling both his long-awaited Oscar win and overshadowing the other winners of the night. .
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