Academy Says Will Smith Refused to Leave Oscars After Slap, Names Potential Sanctions

The Academy has listed potential sanctions that could be taken against Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, and say Smith refused to leave the ceremony. As you surely know, Smith became the most talked-about part of the Oscars after he walked on stage and slapped Rock over a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a statement today after a meeting of the Board of Governers.

The statement noted that Smith “is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions” in accordance with the group’s Standards of Conduct and California law after it initiated disciplinary proceedings. The Academy noted that at the next board meeting, which takes place on April 18th, it “may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.”

The vote (per Deadline was “overwhelming” among the 50 governors to pursue the situation.

The statement also noted that Smith was asked to leave the venue after the incident, and Smith declined to do so. Deadline reports that a member of the Academy’s top leadership asked him to exit through his representatives. Several members of the Board of Governors didn’t know about Smith being asked to leave before the meeting.

The Academy’s full statement reads:

“The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.

“Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response. At the next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.

“Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.

“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.”