Dylan Bettencourt
Will Smith refused the Academy’s request that he leave the event after he slapped Chris Rock in response to a joke in poor taste about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Following the incident, several people questioned why Smith was allowed to remain at the event and still stand to receive his award an hour later.
“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” the Academy said in a statement.
“While we would like to clarify that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognise we could have handled the situation differently.”
The Academy added that they have given Smith the opportunity to defend himself in writing before the board meets on 18 April.
Smith, who won the best actor award, did not take kindly to Chris Rock’s joke regarding his wife’s lack of hair, the consequence of alopecia, a hair loss condition.
Rock looked at Jada and said “Can’t wait for GI Jane 2” which is a reference to the GI Jane movie released in 1997 where actress Demi Moore has a shaved head.
After initially laughing at the joke, Smith walked up on stage and slapped Rock across the face.
The board is set to discuss possible consequences for Smith which include suspension, expulsion or sanctions.
Several reports suggest that Smith, who won the award for his role as the father of Serena and Venus Williams, could be stripped of his prize.
Smith has since responded to the incident by apologising to the public and Rock for his actions.
“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,” Smith wrote on Instagram.
Questions have since been raised over whether Smith was right or wrong in his actions. People argued that comedians struggle with a difficult job as they push the boundaries without crossing an ethical line with their jokes.
However, a large group of people feel Rock should not have made a remark about Jada’s condition which the comedian has since said he had no knowledge about.
Image source: @TheNewYorker
