The Academy Reveals Will Smith Had Refused To Leave The Oscars, Disciplinary Proceedings May Include Expulsion

Oscars
2022
garnered
widespread
backlash
for
not
removing
Will
Smith
from
the
Dolby
Theatre
after
he
slapped
Chris
Rock
on
stage.
However,
in
a
new
statement,
the
Academy
of
Motion
Picture
Arts
and
Sciences
said
that
the
Best
Leading
Actor
winner
Smith
was
asked
to
leave
the
ceremony
but
he
refused.

The
Academy,
in
a
statement
shared
to
multiple
outlets,
described
Will’s
actions
as
“a
deeply
shocking,
traumatic
event
to
witness
in-person
and
on
television”
and
also
apologised
to
comedian
Chris
Rock,
those
in
attendance,
and
viewers
for
what
happened.

“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,” the
statement
added.

The
Hollywood
Reporter
revealed
that
the
Academy’s
board
of
governors
has
officially
started
“disciplinary
proceedings”
against
Smith
for
violations
of
its
standards
of
conduct,
including
“inappropriate
physical
conduct,
abusive
or
threatening
behaviour,
and
compromising
the
integrity
of
the
Academy.”

Jim
Carrey
Slams
Standing
Ovation
For
Will
Smith
At
Oscars;
‘Do
Not
Have
The
Right
To
Smack
Somebody’

The
actor
reportedly
would
have
an
opportunity
to
provide
a
written
response,
before
the
board
takes
a
decision
about
whether
to
take
any
disciplinary
action
against
him,
such
as
suspension,
expulsion,
or
other
sanctions.
Take
a
look
at
the
complete
statement
by
the
Academy
(via
Variety):

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.

EXO’s
Suho
Is
Winning
Hearts
Grey
Suit
Mood
Sampler
Photos

Notably,
post
the
Oscars
2022
ceremony,
on
Monday
evening,
a
letter
from
Academy
President
David
Rubin
and
CEO
Dawn
Hudson
went
out
to
the
entire
membership.
The
administration
shared
their
“outrage”
regarding
Smith’s
actions
and
how
it
“overshadowed”
the
success
of
winning
films
like

CODA
and

Dune.