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Oscars launch review into Will Smith

Published:Tuesday | March 29, 2022 | 12:08 AM
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Will Smith (right) hits presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
AP
Will Smith (right) hits presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Presenter Chris Rock (left) reacts after being hit on stage by Will Smith.
Chris Pizzello
Presenter Chris Rock (left) reacts after being hit on stage by Will Smith.
Will Smith arrives at the Oscars on Sunday.
AP
Will Smith arrives at the Oscars on Sunday.
Will Smith, left, and Jada Pinkett Smith pose on the Oscars red carpet.
AP
Will Smith, left, and Jada Pinkett Smith pose on the Oscars red carpet.
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The Oscars have launched a review into Will Smith after he struck Chris Rock.

The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences have condemned the King Richard star for smacking the 57-year-old comic across the face after he made a joke at his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith’s expense at last Sunday night’s ceremony.

In a statement, they said that they would “explore further action and consequences” across California law and the organisation’s standards of conduct.

This follows the 53-year-old actor winning the Best Actor gong at the 94th Academy Awards and disappointing members of the awarding body, who complained that “he stole the limelight” after he attempted to defend his 50-year-old wife, who was the butt of Chris’s joke after she shaved her hair off due to having the autoimmune disease alopecia.

A member of the Academy told the BBC: “I woke up so bummed about what Will Smith did. To me, he stole the limelight. I don’t think that was the place to be so violent. Most people were shocked. There were children there. It was a place to celebrate.”

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star addressed the incident in his acceptance speech, apologising to the Academy and his “fellow nominees”.

He said: That’s what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern. I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment, and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me,” before adding later in his speech, “But love will make you do crazy things.”

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will not investigate the incident because no complaint has been made.

In a statement, LAPD said: “LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards programme. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Chris Rock was presenting the award for the Best Documentary Feature prize on Sunday and made reference Jada’s shaven head by comparing it to the buzzcut sported by Demi Moore in the 1997 war film GI Jane.

Although Smith was seen laughing at first, Jada looked unimpressed and he then walked to the stage, slapped the presenter and walked away again

Following the attack, The Academy condemned Smith’s actions as they reminded viewers that the aim is to “celebrate” deserved winners from the world of film.

A statement on Twitter read: “The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”