The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, has condemned Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at Sunday’s ceremony, and has launched a formal review of the incident.
Smith walked up to the stage in a fit of rage and slapped Rock in the face, after the comic made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Moments later, Smith won his first ever Oscar–for best actor in King Richard.
A statement from the Oscars says it will “explore further action and consequences” in accordance with California law, and the body’s standards of conduct.
The statement reads in part: “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.”
There are suggestions that the body could take back the award it handed to Smith on the night.
Rock has told everyone that he will not be pressing charges against Smith.
Alopecia
Jada has previously gone public about her hair loss due to an auto-immune disease called alopecia. She described the condition as “terrifying.”
Jada looked unamused when Rock cracked the joke by saying: “Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2,” in an apparent reference to her shaved head and a 1997 film in which the character sports a buzz cut.
Smith initially laughed at the joke, but moments later, he was strutting to the stage before dishing the thunderous slap on Rock.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f*** mouth,” Smith yelled repeatedly as he returned to his seat.
Smith tearfully apologised afterwards during his acceptance speech, saying “love will make you do crazy things.”
He has also apologised on Instagram, writing that:
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. 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. Â
“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.
“I am a work in progress.”
Smith earned his first Oscar for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, in the film King Richard.