Will Smith Has Resigned From Academy Over Chris Rock Oscars Backlash
Later, Smith refused to leave the ceremony because of Academy’s request. sources inform Variety Smith was not asked to leave the ceremony by the organization’s leaders. Will Packer, however, encouraged him to stay. Packer stated that Smith should remain at Rock’s request during a Friday appearance on GMA — something Rock has denied.
It is a complicated story about the events that took place behind closed doors. It is clear that Smith ended up staying at the Dolby Theater, where he won the best actor for his portrayal in “King Richard.” Smith appeared to attempt to justify his actions in an emotional speech by claiming that his outburst was due to the same protective instincts that drove Richard Williams’ character, Venus Williams, to push Serena and Venus to success in tennis. Some Academy members were not happy with Smith’s speech, his initial refusal to apologize to Rock, and his decision to go to the Vanity Fair party after the awards.
Smith apologized to Rock on Monday. He said, “I was out-of-line and I was wrong” and added that he was reacting emotionally because “a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much to bear for me.”
The Academy initially offered a statement saying it didn’t condone violence but then followed up with two more statements that harshly criticized Smith. The group stated that Smith had broken the Academy’s conduct standards and that Smith had fifteen days to respond. Smith could be expelled, suspended or subject to other sanctions by the organization.
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