Academy Responds to Will Smith Slap With ‘Formal Review,’ Insiders Reveal What Happened Behind the Scenes
The Academy is responding to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock is at the 2022 Oscars by launching a “formal review” of the incident, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday, March 28.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” reads the statement, per Deadline. “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.”
This is the Academy’s first official statement on the matter aside from a Sunday night tweet that read, “The Academy does not condone violence of any form.”
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
The review could lead to Smith losing his AMPAS membership or a suspension from the organization and its events, according to AMPAS rules. The AMPAS Standards of Conduct initiative was updated in 2018 after Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the organization in response to the sexual assault allegations against him. At the time, Academy CEO Dawn Hudson sent an email to members with instructions on how to report workplace misconduct, according to Deadline.
The email detailed the AMPAS rules on breach of conduct that would prompt a review, including “physical contact that is uninvited and, in the situation, inappropriate and unwelcome, or coercive sexual attention” as well as “Intimidation, stalking, abusive or threatening behavior, or bullying.”
The statement continued to note that “sanctions issued under this policy that are less severe than suspension or expulsion of membership may include private reprimand, public reprimand, temporary or permanent loss of privileges to attend and participate in Academy events or activities” and more.
Once it was clear the slap was not staged, viewers on Twitter questioned why Smith wasn’t ejected from the ceremony. Insiders told Variety that the reaction backstage was that of shock as well, and it took a while to figure out what to do next. By the time reported discussions of escorting Smith out of the ceremony had any kind of theoretical plan, Smith had already been announced as the Best Actor winner.
Another source told Variety that the Oscars didn’t want the optics of Smith being kicked out of the ceremony when he was up for a top honor, especially when his actions were in defense of his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock’s G.I. Jane comment about Pinkett Smith’s hair, Variety reports, was improvised — not written on the teleprompter. The Red Table Talk host shaved her head in response to her experiences with alopecia, which is what is said to have caused such a strong reaction from the Smiths.
Smith apologized for his conduct in his King Richard acceptance speech, saying “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things,” and adding, “I hope the Academy invites me back.” Rock opted not to press charges against Smith.
Black people have a defiant spirit of laughter when it comes to dealing with pain because there has been so much of it. I don’t feel the need to elucidate that for you. But I also don’t mind being transparent and say that this was a very painful moment for me. On many levels. https://t.co/zzgeKIqrHm
— Will Packer (@willpowerpacker) March 28, 2022
In response to the controversy, Oscars producer Will Packer called the incident between Smith and Rock “a very painful moment.” This comment comes after the producer initially tweeted “Welp…I said it wouldn’t be boring” when the broadcast concluded. The tweet prompted criticism from one user.
“Making jokes about an assault that happened during your show isn’t the congratulatory message you think it is,” the tweet read.
“Black people have a defiant spirit of laughter when it comes to dealing with pain because there has been so much of it,” Packer responded. “I don’t feel the need to elucidate that for you. But I also don’t mind being transparent and say that this was a very painful moment for me. On many levels.”
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Will Smith not only assaulted Chris Rock he also screamed out the F word for the world audience to hear. It was all unacceptable.
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Will Smith should be banned from any future awards shows. He has set a terrible example to millions of people including children on how you handle arguments.
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Weinstien lost his Oscar and was suspended from the Academy because of ALLEGATIONS. (which proved to be true AFTER the fact) Will Smith assaulted a man in front of an audience and a television audience. His guilt should NOT be questioned. If EVERY man reacted the same way Will did to a comedian telling an inappropriate joke (which is what most comedians do) there would be no more comedy.
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I feel the Academy needs stand strongly behind it’s rules of conduct. A human being was assaulted by another, not only physically, but verbally. This is a family program. I see no excuse for this behavior.
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I felt like Will Smith was completely out of line. Comedians have roasted people for years and made comments. Good thing some of them weren't slapped every time they did it. I think it was very childish of Will and Jada should have been very embarrassed by her husband. It would have not been forgiven from anyone else. Kudos to Chris Rock for remaining calm.
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It is true that comedians have 'roasted' people for years, however this insensitive comment was not delivered during a 'roast'. Why is it ok for 'comedians' to insult people and suffer no consequences for their hurtful words or actions? I do not condone violence in any way, but, if Will Smith is to be brought to task for his actions, why shouldn't Chris Rock be made to at least apologize as well? One cannot goad an unsuspecting individual and expect no retribution.
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Lawd people...Chris Rock has ALWAYS done roast style comedy...and do we really know if it was the "love ya" part or the GI Jane joke that prompted the reaction?
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And BTW, Demi got PLENTY of ribbing about her hair when she shaved it for a role. No one remembers that or GI Jane. But Demi didn't respond with violence.
A plethora of women go through age-related thinning, as do a lot of men. And believe it or not, the whole world doesn't pay attention to Jada's personal issues. Did Rock even know why Jada shaved her head?
I am amazed at the number of folks applauding Smith for LITERALLY committing assault during a live broadcast, and by following that up with profanity the FCC could fine the producers for. Over a bad joke.
When an old lady dubbed me "The Chick with the Stick," loudly, during Happy Hour, in front of my whole town and at a time i was still very sensitive about the cane, know what I did? I OWNED that nickname. And when a jerk at the bar laughed and repeated it, I said "That's LADY Chick with the Stick to you," and laughed.
But y'all seem to think that decking someone is an acceptable response to a bad joke delivered with no malice intended. A joke Smith initiallyy laughed at before losing it on an internationally televised live broadcast. AND he managed to overshadow the tribute to Ukraine, something meant to decry violence. Instead, THIS ceremony will be remembered for violence. And Smith ruined his own greatest life moment. His award will always be sullied
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First of all
assaulting someone in the manner that Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock and
cursed him was totally unacceptable. Will Smith’s behavior last night was indicative
of someone who has anger/aggression issues and a chronic substance abuse problem.
The violent behavior then followed by the opposite emotional response, crying and
apologizing to everyone but the victim is classic. Oddly enough even Will Smith
originally laughed at the joke until his Wife became upset with it.
The Academy
should have immediately escorted Will Smith out of the auditorium and the Police/Security
who were present should have arrested Will Smith for assault and or disorderly
conduct. At the very least the Academy should have had him removed him from the
building. Bottom line the Academy was also extremely negligent with the manner
in which they didn’t respond to this incident. If a comedian checking someone
is grounds to say they were “attacked” and physically assaulting them on a live
broadcast is acceptable then the world really has gone down a rabbit hole.
Chris Rock was the bigger Man by not pressing charges but he now has the right
to sue the hell of Will Smith and the Academy which he should do. Will Smith
should be banned for the next few years and have to undergo anger management
and maybe a substance abuse intervention as well. The Academy should apologize
to Chris Rock for not “handling” the situation more appropriately. This is not the first time Will Smith had done this.
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Kudos to Chris Rock for remaining calm after Will Smith's actions. Chris Rock should sue him. He may have got a little trophy but Smith is a loser. He shouldn't count on any more awards. Who would ever want to hire Will Smith or see him in anything. What an example he, and his wife, set for their kids. He should be embarrassed. The Academy shouldn't even allow him at any more award shows.
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I'll never watch anything that has to do with Will Smith again. Disgusted and repulsed.
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Will Smith's behavior was so incredibly egregious that, as a consequence, he should, not only becomes box office poison, but he might also, (I hope), becomes as irrelevant as Jada.
Wanna slap me Will? Your child now expects that of you.
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You're supposed to get a little wiser with age, apparently this is not the case with Will Smith. Guarantee you this would be playing out way differently if this was a man of another color that done this.
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Will Smith: If you
want to stand up for something, other than your wife's vain & delusional
sensibilities, pick a few of the world issues.
Use your voice, (platform), speak truth to that which merely passes for
truth, the illusion of truth, the false perception of truth. Because, in the
grand scheme of things that matter... Hollywood doesn't... unless it is a
vehicle for truth & change.
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Jada P -Smith now says "This is the season for healing. And I’m here for it,"
That is what you should have said your husband at the Oscars- when you knew he was going to do what he did.
Now you want to act as if you're Sweet Polly Purebred.
You're not fooling anyone; why don't you go hide under your Red Table and get entangled.
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Obviously Smith is a lose canon. Who would possibly want to even be in the same room as him?
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So you are on stage, a women decides to heckle you. You both start to go back and forth. You being a very quick and observant comedian you are notice that the woman has big feet and you say " damn lady what size shoe you wear? you know what they say about woman with big feet". The woman looks to her laughing husband in disbelief unfortunately for you. You were not aware of her insecurity with her feet. So her husband marches up to the stage slaps the hell out of you. Declare that love makes him crazy. Told everyone god told him to do it. And got a standing ovation. Would you be okay with that?
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By that thought process comedy would be dead and Will should be apologizing for every Yo mama's so fat joke he's ever said. If I also didn't know the context of a joke, I would consider those more offensive than Chris' GI Jane reference. Making JOKES about fellow entertainers was always part of the Academy awards, nobody, especially A list celebritys, would be an "unsuspecting" individual.
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Smith was out of line. Look at what Ricky Gervais said at the Golden Globes compared to what Chris Rock said. Ricky said much worse and no one got up to slap him. This is simply Smith not being able to conduct himself in a proper fashion. If the Academy does nothing then they are complicit while condoning such actions that could be a sign of what may happen next year.
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Will Smith is out to protect black women, who is going to protect us from Will Smith? I am stunned by the ease at which his violence and rage is being accepted. The tearful speech was moving he was obviously traumatized by the event. He could barely party like a drunk college kid at a frat party at the after Oscars celebration.
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Will Smith isobviously under Jada's control; which, never-the-less, isn't absolution for hisactions.
In recent years, Jada P Smith has proven to me that she
avoids taking responsibility for her actions and wants to blame others; rather
than owning her share of whatever mess develops as a result.
She takes no responsibility for the state of her marriage, or
her involvement in any extra marital affair she obviously wanted to be a part
of. Then, she creates a forum to lie
about, and gain sympathy for that which she brings on herself.
So characteristic, to blame the man for your indiscretions.
Yet, if a man seeks pleasure outside of the marriage, you'll vindictively scorch
the earth he stands on. If you get
caught in your lies, you'll want everyone to forgive and forget. Yet, you'll
hold men responsible for mistakes for decades.
Keep trying to control everything Jada; because, it's
working for you!
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Chris Rock, thank you for being the man that you are, the professional that you are.
I do not know either Chris or Will personally, and I am not a fanatic by any means, but I have enjoyed for years both actors book of work. Stating such, as a contributing consumer of what they sell, which is entertainment, I am so embarrassed by Will actions, not his reasons. It has been reported on a radio morning talk show, Charlamaine reported that he spoke with Chris that night, calling to see how he was doing, and Chris told him that he did not know that Jada had a medical condition which resulted in her shaving her head. If Chris said that, I believe it is true because I did not know why she shaved all her hair off. I have watch her show - Red Table Talk, not every episode, but I do not remember hearing her say that on the ones that I did see. So it is very possible that he did not know. Remember what Chris said when he started the joke?
Chris finally got a public apology from Will, but I can imagine what he is going through, his wife and his children.
People make mistakes, but Will should be held accountable just as much as a non-celebrity would from the Academy and from Chris.
It is very sad for all that were directly affected and to - Chris Rock & everyone else, including Will and his family, you all are in my prayers.
The powers that be should handle this quickly so that we all can move on to the next viral event.
Thomasina Willis
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yes!
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Apparently this wasn’t scripted, the Academy should treat Will as they would anyone else for the violence he displayed. He needs to be cited and charged. I’m not sure why the police haven’t stepped in, the whole world saw this, it’s recorded. Why hasn’t Will been made to face this yet? Saying I’m sorry doesn’t cut it. This isn’t good, this example needs to be disciplined for the greater good.
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I totally agree. I have tried to encourage people to call LAPD to arrest Will Smith. We have laws in California where there’s evidence of a crime that was committed the victim isn’t compelled to file charges. The Academy should’ve acted immediately and asked him to leave the premises. Time we stand up for all victims. ❤️🇺🇸
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Yes, I can not agree more. Chris Rock should be charged as any other person, he and the approving Academy, had this pre scripted. They, just kind of , misjudged the outcome.
Yes , Chris Rock and the Academy should be held accountable,
Yes Chris Rock is a has been,..but the academy, standing behind him, when THEY knew everything,
Maybe they Academy needs to follow the rule they impose, on themselves?
Damn good response by the way !!
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Why isn't the Academy doing anything about Chris Rock's inexcusable and hurtful insult to Jada Pinkett-Smith? I'm tired of hearing about how awful Will Smith's behavior was and not a word of condemnation against Chris Rock. The Academy needs to examine and change its own beliefs and standards of behavior.
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So the rule states "“Intimidation, stalking, abusive or threatening behavior, or bullying.” Wouldn't Chris Rock also fall under this Category for Bullying Jada? Regardless of Jokes it's the principal of the Situation.
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When the academy allows comedians to belittle or ''Roast'' people they shouldn't be surprised that someone get upset. Yes, Will shouldn't have slapped Chris Rock, but Chris Rock is not funny when he belittles other people. And it was the second time he had had a go at Jada at the Oscars. True comedy is about situations, not hurting people emotionally.
It's about time the Academy went back to having presenters with decorum and panache, not school boy humour.
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Chris Rock has NEVER been that funny...but no one ever decked him for it...
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So true.... 🙂
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Will Smith stood up for his wife! A true gentleman! Chris Rock was completely out of line! I was disgusted at the display of flesh...they were not ladies! Have respect for yourself! At least Will Smith respects his wife!
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That is not how a gentleman behaves. We all learned that in kindergarten. Use your words appropriately.
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Did Chris Rock apologize for his inappropriate remarks? Will Smith showed little restraint, but should be applauded for sticking up for his wife. Violence was not the only way to show displeasure to his unfunny cracks.
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