Actor suggested Chris Rock
Oscars slap: Academy considers consequences for Will Smith
Scandal on the Oscar stage: Will Smith missed Chris Rock a slap in the face
© Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/DPA
His freak out at the Oscars could have consequences for Will Smith: The Academy has now announced that it will investigate the incident. The 53-year-old is threatened with exclusion from the film organization.
After Hollywood star Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on the stage of the Oscar gala, the organizers are examining possible consequences. “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr Smith at yesterday’s show. We have officially begun a formal investigation into the incident and will be considering further actions and consequences consistent with our statutes, codes of conduct and California law,” the statement said a message from Monday.
Smith has meanwhile via Instagram apologized to Rock, the organizers of the Oscars, the audience and everyone involved in the film “King Richard”. The incident is embarrassing for him. “My conduct at the Academy Awards yesterday was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote. “Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s health was too much for me to take and I reacted emotionally.”
It was initially unclear what consequences Smith could face. In US media For example, there was speculation about being excluded from the Oscar Academy, but it was considered unlikely that his Oscar would be revoked. The Academy board members are said to have already discussed the Smith case by telephone, and a final decision is not expected until the next general meeting.
Chris Rock has not yet filed charges against Will Smith
On the other hand, the actor does not initially face any consequences from the police. Comedian Rock did not want to file a complaint, at least for the time being, the TV station CNN quoted the police in Los Angeles as saying. However, the investigators were informed about the incident at the Oscars.
Rock made a gag about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett at Sunday night’s show in Los Angeles, prompting Smith to surprisingly rush onto the stage and slap the comedian. After that, he returned to his seat and shouted twice more in Rock’s direction: “Keep my wife’s name out of your damn mouth!” The organizers then briefly announced via Twitter that they would not tolerate “any form of violence”.
Rock had previously reached out to Jada Pinkett Smith and said, “GI Jane 2 I can’t wait to see this.” It was a reference to the movie “GI Jane” in which Demi Moore shaves her head as a soldier. Jada Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes at the joke. She has often spoken openly about her hair loss caused by illness.
Richard Williams condemns Will Smith’s slap in the face
Smith went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. In his acceptance speech he seemed to want to justify the scandal. “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” he said. Smith plays the father of legendary tennis players Venus and Serena Williams in the film. Through hard training and perseverance, he enabled his daughters to pursue sports careers.
Smith, 53, said through tears that he wanted to apologize to the film academy and the other nominees. “Art imitates life and I seem like the crazy father (…) but love makes you do crazy things.” He hopes that the film academy will invite him back.
Meanwhile, Richard Williams has also commented on the incident and condemned Smith’s behavior. “We do not know all the details of the incident. But we do not condone anyone hitting another, unless it is in self-defense,” quoted NBC News Williams’ son Chavoita LeSane.