The Academy Is Launching A Formal Review Of Will Smith’s Chris Rock Slap

Topline

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday it launched a formal review into an incident at Sunday’s ceremony in which actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock for joking about the appearance of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has hair loss caused by alopecia.

Actor Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in … [+] Hollywood, California, on March 27, 2022.

AFP via Getty Images

Key Facts

In a statement, the Academy said it “condemns the actions of Mr. Smith” and “will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our By-laws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”

The investigation could result in Smith’s removal from the Academy, or prevent him from attending future events, according to Deadline, but it is unlikely Smith will have to give up his Oscar, according to Variety.

Traditionally, the winner of the Best Actor award—which Smith won Sunday—presents the Best Actress award at the next year’s ceremony.

Whoopi Goldberg, an Academy Governor in the Actors branch, said on The View on Monday that she’s sure “there will be some consequences” for Smith but “we’re not going to take that Oscar from him,” according to Deadline.

Tangent

After Smith hit Rock, there was “serious” talk of removing him from the ceremony, two insiders familiar with the matter told the New York Times. However, time was quickly closing in on the Best Actor award, for which Smith was a front-runner, and there was concern about further interrupting the show. A source told Variety that Rock’s joke was not scripted, and another told the outlet that producers did not want to create the visual of a “beloved star” being forced out. Shock and confusion may have also played a factor into the delay in taking action, insiders told Variety.

Key Background

While presenting an award during Sunday’s live ceremony, Rock joked about Pinkett Smith’s bald head, comparing her to G.I. Jane. Smith, who was seated with Pinkett Smith close to the stage, walked up to Rock and slapped him in the face, and then yelled at him to “keep my wife’s name out your f**king mouth.” Soon after, while accepting his Best Actor award for his portrayal of Serena and Venus Williams’ father and tennis coach Richard Williams in King Richard, Smith apologized to his fellow nominees and the Academy, though he didn’t mention Rock. The Academy said Sunday it “does not condone violence of any form.” Rock declined to press charges over the assault. Sean “Diddy” Combs, who presented an award after the incident and urged Smith and Rock to handle their issues at the after-party, told Page Six on Monday the two did just that. “That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that,” Combs said. “It’s all love, they’re brothers.”

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