Will Smith – Academy Moves Up Meeting to Discuss Sanctions Following Chris Rock Slap

Will Smith, Chris Rock

Will Smith – Academy Moves Up Meeting to Discuss Sanctions Following Chris Rock Slap

Will Smith‘s life is still being flipped and turned upside down following his one-sided slap battle with Chris Rock.

It has been announced that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will move up its annual meeting to address possible sanctions for Will Smith, who slapped Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars for making a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head. The meeting will now take place on April 8 instead of April 18.

Chris Rock, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith

In a letter to the Board of Governors, Academy president David Rubin said the original date was set in accordance with California law and “our Standards of Conduct,” because the agenda included possible suspension or expulsion of Will Smith‘s membership.

Will Smith resigned from the Academy of his own free will on Friday, April 1 saying,

“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.”

Will Smith

According to Rubin’s letter, Will’s resignation means that previous suspension/expulsion disciplinary actions that were being considered against him are “no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.”

The full letter to the Board of Governors read,

“Dear Fellow Governors,

I am calling a board meeting for this Friday morning, April 8, at 9:00 am PT, rather than the previously scheduled April 18 meeting, to address possible sanctions for Will Smith in response to his actions during the Oscars broadcast on March 27.

The April 18 date was set in accordance with California law and our Standards of Conduct because our agenda included possible suspension or expulsion of Mr. Smith from membership. We were required to provide Mr. Smith notice 15 days prior to the board meeting at which such action might be taken, and also give him the opportunity to provide the board a written statement no less than five days prior to that meeting.”

The letter continued,

“Following Mr. Smith’s resignation of his Academy membership on Friday, April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.

It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.

Thank you for arranging to assemble on Friday morning at 9:00 am PT. Zoom details will follow soon.

David”

As previously reported, Smith did not take kindly to Chris Rock saying he was looking forward to seeing Jada Pinkett-Smith in the next G.I. Jane movie. The comment was in reference to Jada Pinkett-Smith‘s shaved head, which she rocks as a result of battling alopecia.

Despite claims that he was asked to leave, Smith remained for the entire ceremony, where he won his first Academy Award for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard.

A number of individuals have weighed in on the situation, including Chris Rock‘s younger brothers Kenny and Tony Rock. The brothers have made it clear they do not forgive Smith for what he did. Kenny Rock also wants the Academy to take actions that include stripping Smith of his award and banning him from future ceremonies.

Chris Rock, Kenny Rock, Will Smith

What sanctions do you think Will Smith should face for slapping Chris Rock? Let us know in the comments!

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