Will Smith is said to have 'refused to leave' the Oscars, despite being asked to after he hit Chris Rock.
The eyes of the world were on Hollywood on Sunday night as the Academy Awards staged as glittering comeback after a Covid disrupted few years. And among the nominees hoping to take home a trophy was Will, up for Best Actor for his acclaimed role in King Richard, the film about Venus and Serena Williams' father.
However, before he won the category and went on stage to accept his Oscar, there was a very unsavoury moment when he got out of his seat and slapped comedian Chris, who was on stage to present the award for documentary feature.
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The comment that appeared to trigger Will was a jibe Chris made about his wife Jada doing "GI Jane 2," in reference to her having a shaved head. Jada suffers from alopecia and, while at first he appeared to laugh off the gaff, Will then walked up to Chris and slapped him.
Will has since issued a public apology to Chris with Jada also breaking her silence to post a quote about 'healing.' And now Oscars governing body, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who quickly took to social media in the aftermath, saying they condemned any act of violence, have gone into detail about what happened on the night.
Its statement read: "Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, but we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."
The Academy also confirmed "initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr Smith for violations of the Academy's Standards of Conduct". These include 'inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behaviour, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.'
In huis apology Will wrote: "I would like to publicly apologise 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.
"I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress"
