Will Smith Steps Down From Motion Picture Academy Over Chris Rock Slap

Popular Hollywood actor, Will Smith in an official statement released on social media on Friday, April 1st, announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences following the incident with colleague, Chris Rock at the recently held Academy Awards.

Recall that on Sunday, March 27th, Will Smith slapped host, Chris Rock on stage over a joke concerning his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.

In a statement released on Friday, April 1, Smith said in part; “I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate”.

The Academy President, David Rubin, had announced on Wednesday that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had “initiated disciplinary proceedings” against Smith.

In reaction to the award-winning actor’s resignation, Rubin said in a statement that the organization has received and accepted Smith’s “immediate resignation.”

The statement added; “We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18”.

Disciplinary actions by the Academy include suspension or expulsion, along with “other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct”.

Read Will Smith’s full statement below;

“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. 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.

So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”

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