Would you believe that there are disciplinary procedures set in place set up “just in case” at the Oscars? You might have heard that Will Smith is facing some of these disciplinary procedures as we speak. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced his behavior at the recent Oscars.
Celebrities have a certain decorum they have to carry out. It is expected of them at all times by their fans. And, it is a part of the job, and they are rarely off duty when out in public. On Sunday, thousands of people switched on their TVs to watch the annual Oscars. No one expected anything but overly polite celebrities wearing grandiose designer gowns and tuxedos. But, most of all, no one ever expected Will Smith of all people to slap Chris Rock across the face!
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on stage at the #Oscar pic.twitter.com/8h42wFUskt
— menace💰🌍 (@menace__999) March 28, 2022
Drama at the Oscars
On the night of the Oscars, Chris Rock was up on stage, doing what he does best, and making people laugh. A comedian is known for getting a little personal with their jokes, but we shrug it off because it’s funny. When he cracked about G.I Jane referring to Jada Pinkett, Will Smith’s wife. The joke was that they both have shaved heads. On camera, Jada rolled her eyes after the joke was made, clearly not pleased. Will Smith was seen laughing at the joke, but when they switched the view to the whole stage, Will Smith was walking right up to Chris. Chris was surprised by this, but even more so when Chris lifted his arm and slapped him straight across the face!
Chris Rock stood for a moment and said a little sheepishly. “Wow, Will Smith just slapped the **** out of me.” The audience was clearly in shock as well. However, they fell silent when Will shouted out the now infamous words. “Keep my wife’s name out your f****** mouth!” Chris Rock tried to explain that it is a G.I Jane joke as best he could. But Will shouted out again for him to not speak of his wife.
Chris had crossed a boundary for Will, but it is still unclear whether or not Rock knew that Jada Pinkett had been diagnosed with alopecia back in 2018. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that results in drastic hair loss. According to Jada, she was inspired to go bald by her daughter, Willow Smith. Will’s actions are not commendable, but this gives context to his actions against Chris Rock.
Read: Bruce Willis receives shocking diagnosis, will step away from acting
What did the Academy Have to Say After the Incident at the Oscars?
After the incident, Will Smith was asked to leave, and he refused. The Academy said, “Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.”
They continued by describing it as, a “deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in person and on television,” They apologized to Chris Rock for his experience as a presenter. They decided to take action against Will and they issued him with a “15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response.”
This means that further discipline might be taken, and Will might be suspended or expelled. The decision is to be made on April 18th in a board meeting. The academy does not take lightly physical violence, and according to them, will’s behavior was “unacceptable conduct”
The code of conduct reads, ” “If any member is found by the Academy to have violated these standards or to have compromised the integrity of the Academy by their actions … the Academy may take any disciplinary action permitted by the Academy’s Bylaws, up to and including suspension of membership or expulsion from membership.”
On Monday they made this statement, “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show. 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.”
Will Has Apologized
After the incident, will Smith made a post on his Instagram expressing his regret and apologizing to Chris Rock.
“My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.” he wrote, adding that he “reacted emotionally.” “I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
Keep Reading: Jim Carrey Calls Out “Spineless” Hollywood for Giving Will Smith Standing Ovation During Oscars
Sources
- “Will Smith to face disciplinary action, refused to leave Oscars after Chris Rock slap, Academy says.” USA Today. Charles Trepany. March 30, 2022.
- “GI Jane 2 joke explained: what did Chris Rock say about Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett at Oscars 2022 and why?” National World. Rhona Shennan. March 28, 2022.