Will Smith refused to leave the Oscars after slapping Rock

Amid the storm of commentary, analysis and criticism of what happened at the Oscars on Sunday, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in the face, is the question of why he wasn’t kicked out of the Dolby Theater immediately. This Wednesday, the Academy has given its version. In a statement, the institution has assured that “Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused& rdquor ;, although he has also made a discreet mea culpa by admitting that they could have “handled the situation differently & rdquor ;.

It is the first time the Academy has publicly reported asking Smith to leave the gala, where not long after the incident he received the Oscar for best actor for his work in ‘Williams method‘. The interpreter received the award with a speech, between tears, in which he said things like “love makes you commit madnesss” and in which he didn’t apologize to Rock. Was acclaimed.

The apology came the next day, after delivering a message on social networks to the dance and the celebration at the ‘Vanity Fair’ party on Sunday. It also came once that the Academy, which on Sunday reacted with a lukewarm generic rejection of the violence, expressly condemned their actions and announced that it was launching the review process on what happened.

The information from the Academy has come in a statement issued after a two and a half hour meeting which has held this Wednesday the board of governors in which it was reported that this body, made up of 64 members, has already started the disciplinary process against Smith. The possible measures, which, as the Academy recalls, may include “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions& rdquor ;, will be decided at a meeting of that board on the 18th. Hardly anyone sees it as likely that Smith’s Oscar will be withdrawn.

The actor will have the opportunity to present his case, through writing, before that vote is held.

The feeling in the institution, in any case, is not favorable. Wednesday’s statement defines Smith’s actions at the Oscars as “a deeply emotional event.” shocking and traumatic to see in person and on television & rdquor ;. Members of the board of governors who have spoken protected by anonymity with the US press have explained that it has been a meeting “emotional& rdquor ;, in which the dominant feeling was that something must be done to “not normalize violence & rdquor ;.

The Academy has also taken advantage of communication to directly apologize to Rock and thank you for your resilience at that moment & rdquor ;. An apology is also extended to nominees, guests and viewers “for what happened in what should have been an act of celebration & rdquor ;.

Already on Monday night David Rubin, president of the Academy, and Dawn Hudson, the CEO, had sent a letter to the members to which ‘Variety’ has had access. In the letter they were defined as “annoyed and outraged” for him “unacceptable and harmful behavior” of Smith and asked for patience and respect for the process now undertaken by the board of governors.