After slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, Will Smith resigns from the Academy

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Will Smith was ALLOWED to stay at the Oscars by Chris Rock?!

Following his Oscar outburst, Will Smith is taking a step back.

Statement: E! News got a statement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on April 1, and it said that Men in Black star Chris Rock had resigned less than a week before the Oscar ceremony. Rock had been onstage when the Men in Black star slapped him.

In a statement, Smith wrote, “The list of people I have harmed is long, and it includes Chris, his family, many of my personal friends and loved ones, everyone in attendance, and global viewers at home.”

“I betrayed the academy’s trust. I took away the opportunity for other nominees and winners to celebrate and be recognized for their outstanding efforts. I’m devastated. “

“I want to put the spotlight back on those who deserve praise for their successes and allow the Academy to get back to the amazing work it does to foster innovation and artistry in film,” he said, adding that he will take “any and all” extra penalties for his conduct.

According to a statement acquired by E! News, Academy president David Rubin has received and accepted Smith’s resignation. “In advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18, we will continue to press forward with our disciplinary process against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct,” he stated.

Will Smith Resigns From Academy After Slapping Chris Rock At Oscars

By resigning, Smith, 53, can no longer vote in future Academy Awards.

Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, during the March 27 program, prompting Smith to yell, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—king mouth!” About half an hour later, Smith won an Oscar for his part in King Richard, and he has since apologized for slapping Rock.

Smith’s activities are being investigated by the Academy, which might result in “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions,” such as being barred from attending academy events. He broke the Academy’s Code of Conduct, which says that “inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior” are not allowed.

Will Smith Resigns From Academy After Slapping Chris Rock At Oscars

Chris Pizzello

According to an Academy statement released earlier this week, Smith was also “requested to leave the event and refused.”

Will Packer, the Oscars producer, revealed that Rock pushed for Smith to stay.

“We will do whatever you want us to do, and one of the possibilities is that we will go ahead and arrest him right now,” the LAPD stated. On April 1, Packer told Good Morning America that the cops came to his office and spoke with Rock.

“They were spelling out very clearly what Chris’ rights were, and they were saying, ‘This is a battery,'” Packer explained. We’ll go find him. We have everything we need. We’re all set to capture him right now. You have the option of filing charges. We have the authority to detain him. “

Rock, who chose not to press charges, went on to do a comedy concert in Boston later that week, telling the audience that he was still “processing” the weekend’s events.