NEWSThe Academy Reveals Will Smith 'Refused' To Leave The Oscars, Actor Faces Possible 'Suspension' Or 'Expulsion' As Disciplinary Proceedings Begin
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors have officially begun disciplinary proceedings after Will Smith took the stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27.
In a lengthy statement, the Board revealed the inside information that the King Richard star refused to leave the ceremony when he was asked, and now faces potential "suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct."
"The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy," the AMPAS announcement read.
The Academy went on to explain that Smith "is being provided at least 15 days' notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions" so that he has the opportunity to present them a written response that may then be taken into consideration in deciding disciplinary action at their upcoming April 18 board meeting.
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"Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television," the Academy noted, before apologizing to Rock for his experience as host and praising his "resilience in that moment."
"While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused," they added, "we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."
As OK! previously reported, the Wild Wild West actor has since apologized to both the Academy and to the Spiral star in separate statements.
A friend close to the Men in Black lead claimed Smith reacted the uncharacteristic way he did because he felt "deeply triggered" by Rock's jokes about wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss.
"He is happy to have some more therapy for his unresolved childhood issues and will do what he can to make good on his momentary lapse in judgment," Mark Manson — who cowrote Smiths' memoir Will — explained. "Essentially, though, Will was deeply triggered by Chris’s demeaning comments about his wife’s alopecia ... He was taken straight back to childhood, seeing his mum getting abused by his dad."
