Don’t look now, but just when you thought the brouhaha surrounding the Will Smith slap was starting to die down — it’s actually beginning to get a lot worse.
Entertainment
Yes, the Will Smith slap (AKA “the slap heard around the world”) has absolutely dominated social media, school lunchrooms, employee break rooms, and more since Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock during last Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. However, new information obtained since ‘the slap’ will likely have high school students, mailroom clerks, hospital employees, and CEOs talking and sharing their opinions for a very long time.
On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences informed the press that Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscar ceremony after hitting Chris Rock, but he refused to do so.
Since Sunday’s ceremony, many have wondered why Smith was allowed to remain seated in the front row of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and be allowed to receive his Best Actor award in person following the incident. However, according to The Associated Press, the academy actually attempted to remove the actor from the audience but was unsuccessful.
“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 recognize we could have handled the situation differently.”
The academy added that because the ceremony was being broadcast live, it chose not to make a scene and opted for disciplinary action at a later date.
And, speaking of disciplinary action, that’s exactly what the academy is planning in response to the Will Smith slap.
The academy’s board of directors will meet on April 18th to discuss the incident and how it intends to move forward. Until that date, Smith will be afforded the opportunity to defend himself in a written response. However, once the board convenes, it will have the option to ban Smith from attending all future Academy Awards ceremonies or to even revoke the long-coveted Oscar he won only days ago for his work in the film KING RICHARD.
In advance of its meeting, the board of directors issued a strongly worded statement condemning Smith’s onstage assault of Rock.
“Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television,” the academy said. “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.”
Since the Will Smith slap, the actor has issued an apology for his actions — although he barely mentioned Chris Rock by name.
“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.”
-Will Smith
For his part, Chris Rock has embarked on a pre-planned comedy tour, which opened in Boston on Wednesday night. Interestingly, the tour has since completely sold out in all cities, and would-be show-goers are shelling out hundreds and even thousands to ticket scalpers to see Rock in person and hopefully hear his take on the Will Smith slap.
As for Will Smith, the court of public opinion has already crucified him mercilessly. How he recovers from this incident, if ever, is yet to be seen.
OK WASSUP! discusses Entertainment News:
The Will Smith slap news is getting worse by the day.
You’re absolutely right DJ. This story has gone from bad to worse!
[On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences informed the press that Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscar ceremony after hitting Chris Rock, but he refused to do so. ] – DJ
When I heard this breaking news last evening, I immediately thought to myself – this takes the whole disgraceful incident to a whole other level!
I said this in my previous response: “I think Will is going to have to deal with the consequences of his actions. Not criminally. But in the court of public opinion, to some degree. And I most definitely think the Academy will have more to say about it.”