Scandal at the Oscars
Oscar slap: Disciplinary case against Will Smith
Ups and downs in just one night: Will Smith slapped Chris Rock and won an Oscar. Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
A slap with consequences: Will Smith could be expelled from the Oscar Academy. Disciplinary proceedings have now been initiated against the actor.
The Oscar Academy initiates disciplinary proceedings against US actor Will Smith. The film association announced this in a statement on Wednesday.
Smith’s behavior at the Oscars on Sunday violated the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Code of Conduct. The industry journals “Variety” and “Hollywood Reporter” quoted the announcement as threatening expulsion from the film association as a possible consequence.
Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage at Sunday night’s show after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. It was about her shaved head, the actress suffers from pathological hair loss. A little later, Smith accepted the Oscar for best actor for his role in «King Richard». On Monday he apologized via Instagram.
The Academy Board met on Wednesday to discuss next steps. The next meeting is scheduled for April 18th. According to the announcement, after the incident on the Oscar stage, Smith was asked by the organizers to leave the awards ceremony. But he did not comply.